Hurricane Francine
On September 11th, Hurricane Francine made landfall in Louisiana, after strengthening to a category 2 storm just before landfall.
According to WAFB9 out of Baton Rouge, Louisiana “Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) is available to businesses and residents in eight parishes whose employment or self-employment was lost or interrupted as a direct result of Hurricane Francine.”
The Disaster Unemployment Assistance Available (DUA):
- Ascension Parish
- Lafourche Parish
- Assumption Parish
- St. Charles Parish
- St. James Parish
- St. John the Baptist Parish
- St. Mary Parish
- Terrebonne Parish
The Louisiana Workforce Commission is accepting applications until November 15th, 2024.
Lining Parish- “The moments right after a hurricane or natural disaster can often be the most dangerous, as people drive on rain-soaked roads and debris-filled waterways. Still, officials in Livingston Parish say they’re getting ahead of the issue.”
On the night of September 17th, the Livingston Parish ordinance committee took the first steps to change how waterways are closed in the parish. Council member Dean Coats explains that closing a waterway for public use after a storm can be essential to avoid flooding and damage to property, but currently, there’s too much red tape and the guidelines aren’t clear.
It’s been 30 years since the last time the Atlantic Basin went through the first full week of September without any active tropical cyclones, according to WPLG-TV out of Miami Florida hurricane expert Micheal Lowry. Colorado State University tropical scientist Phil Klotzbach noted the last time the Atlantic Basin went from August 13th through September 8th without any storms forming was in 1968.
A wind gust up to 102 MPH was reported on Eugene Island, Louisiana, and Dulac, Louisiana had gusts up to 96 MPH. The peak wind gust at New Orleans International Airport was 78 MPH putting it at the top three on the highest wind gusts in Louisiana according to AlabamaWx. Storm Surge topped four feet of water in southern Louisiana, which put communities in Dulac and Cocodrie underwater.
Here is some damage from Hurricane Francine
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Hurricane Helene
Helene came ashore to Florida on September 26th as a category 4 hurricane. As of October 5th the death toll is 227. According to AP News “Helene is the deadliest hurricane to hit the mainland U.S. since Katrina in 2005.”
A North Carolina man is grieving the loss of 11 family members who were tragically killed in a landslide caused by Hurricane Helene. The country music star Dolly Parton has announced a $1 million donation to the Top Mountain Ways Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing immediate assistance to Hurricane Helene flood victims.
On October 3rd, North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper signed the State’s first relief package to address hurricane Helene’s devastation, allocating $273 million for immediate needs and giving flexibility to agencies and displaced residents. “So far North Carolinians have received more than $27 million in individual assistance approved by the federal Emergency Management Agency.” Said MaryAnn Tierney, a regional administrator of the agency.
The $ 273 million in Wednesday’s bill originates from the state’s savings reserve, which contained $4.75 billion. “The flood damage from the rain is apocalyptic,” said meteorologists. As of October 28th 98 people are dead in north Carolina, according to North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services According to FEMA.gov, “ We continue to work with federal, states and local partners to evaluate recovery needs from Helene.” Also according to FEMA.gov, “We continue to coordinate a federal force of more than 7,000 personnel, each contributing their expertise to this mission. We continue to deliver critical supplies to impacted areas including meals, water, generators, tarps and other supplies and equipment.”
Here is some damage from Hurricane Helene
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Hurricane Milton
“Hurricane Milton made landfall south of Tampa Bay as a category 3 at 8:30PM on October 9th”, according to The Weather Channel. At least eight people were dead after rescue teams plucked Florida residents from the flotsam of hurricane Milton on Thursday after the storm.
Here are a notable factoids about Hurricane Milton, according to The Weather Channel
- Highest rainfall total: St. Petersburg, Florida: 18.27 inches
- Highest wind gust: 105 MPH in Egmont Channel, Florida
- Highest known storm surge: 5-6 feet in various spots in southwest Florida include Naples and Fort Myers. This is an estimation and numbers are likely higher in Sarasota or Charlotte counties.
- Milton was Florida’s 3rd hurricane landfall this season
- Milton was this season’s 5th Gulf Coast hurricane landfall
- 126 tornado warnings issued. This is the highest number of tornado warnings issued in Florida in one day.
FEMA is trying to financially help the people who are impacted by Hurricane Milton; according to usa.gov “ you may qualify for FEMA if you live in a presidentially declared disaster area impacted by Hurricane Milton. If approved, you may receive $770 initially for immediate needs and may also be eligible for other assistance for temporary housing ,basic home repairs or other disaster-caused expenses.”
According to ABC News, “A state trooper rescued the dog, now known as Trooper, the department said. Florida Highway Patrol shared a video on social media last week of the dog tied to the post with the caption, ‘Do NOT do this to your pets please…’ “Trooper was found in floodwater up to his chest off of Interstate 75 in Tampa. On October 9th, the owner of Trooper named Giovanny Aldama Garcia, a 23 year old who lived in Ruskin, Florida, was arrested. He was charged with aggravated animal cruelty on Monday. According to ABC News, “State Attorney Suzy Lopez, whose office is prosecuting the case, also announced the arrest on Tuesday, saying, ‘We take this crime very seriously and this defendant will face the consequences of his actions.’ Also according to ABC News, “Aldama Garcia was released Tuesday on $2,500 cash bond, according to online jail records. ABC News’ attempts to reach him were unsuccessful. Online court records do not list any attorney information.”
Some of the damage from Hurricane Milton
Hurricane Francine:
https://www.wbrz.com/news/livingston-officials-plan-for-high-waters-after-hurricane-francine/
Hurricane Helene:
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/helene-and-other-storms-dumped-40-trillion-gallons-of-rain-on-the-south
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13945639/north-carolina-family-killed-hurricane-helene-landslide.html
Hurricane Milton:
https://apnews.com/article/hurricane-milton-tampa-florida-5f6a112986eb6e21720f0f17c504afe8
