A report from the Alliance Chamber SWLA on Tuesday provided a snapshot of the Hurricane Laura recovery.
Updates from Allen, Beauregard, Calcasieu, Cameron, and Jeff Davis parishes and municipalities:
Calcasieu Parish: mandatory evacuation order still in effect.
Entergy: Laura delivered historic damage to southwest Louisiana, where more than 90,000 customers in the region were without power following the storm. High winds caused damage to more than 1,600 transmission structures, 6,637 broken poles, 2,926 transformers, and 338 miles of downed distribution wire in the area. Power was restored Sunday morning in the communities of Toomey and Starks in heavily impacted Calcasieu Parish.
Calcasieu School Board: announces that schools will begin through virtual teaching tentatively on Sept. 28. It is estimated that 97% of parish schools sustained damage from Hurricane Laura.
City of Sulphur: Efforts to get electrical power continue.
Water plants operating.
Most debris pushed to the side of the road.
Contractors pickup up debris.
Major damage to homes and businesses.
City of Lake Charles
Electric service still hampered.
Residential gas services are available.
Garbage collection has begun. It coincides with debris removal being done by contractors.
Boil advisory.
Water plants are generated power is being used to bring 140 lift stations online. 60 pumper trucks used to assist water service. The water pressure is not consistent yet.
Medical services limited due to electric power issues.
Major damage to homes and businesses.
Beauregard Parish
School Board: all schools closed until further notice.
Tonight the Beauregard Parish Police Jury is supposed to select a debris removal and disposal contractor.
Cameron Parish
Parish devastated. Needs assistance in branding in order to encourage residents to return.
Calcasieu River Channel needs debris removal.
Emergency need for temporary housing.
School Board message: “We will release an emergency reopening plan as soon as it’s practical for the re-education of students, which may include a mixture of virtual and/or face to face options at first, with the ultimate goal being a return to all 4 our school campuses. There is no need to enroll your students in other schools/districts at this time. We will be sending out a survey in the very near future, in order to gather information that will better help us formulate those plans.”
Jeff Davis Parish
Schools closed Sept. 7-11.
Allen Parish
School Board — all schools accept for Fairview High School will be cleared for use by Friday. Students return to school, accept for Fairview High School, Sept. 16.