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FROM ESN NEWS:
There is a lot of video on this site, on this page and the next, probably more than you will see in any one location elsewhere. All of this is presented as a public service by ESN News Channel.
THIS SITE WILL ONCE AGAIN BE ACTIVE IF THERE ARE ANY TROPICAL STORMS DEVELOPING. WE COVER HURRICANES START TO FINISH WITH CONTINUAL UPDATES.
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WWL-TV, New Orleans looks at the tropical forecast 10.12.20
TAMPA BAY 10 helps you get ready for the next storm
A series of tips on being ready for storms
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LIVE REPORTS INSIDE THE HURRICANE...AS LONG AS POSSIBLE
local station coverage
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LIVE FISH SWIMMING IN THE ROAD? YES
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Massive waves and storm surge from the hurricane
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Jennings, La., hurricane moves in
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The towns closest to the coast were hard hit
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KHOU in Lake Charles
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AFTERMATH DRONE VIDEO
PEOPLE WAITED TOO LATE TO EVAC. LAKE CHARLES, LOUISIANA
DRONE VIDEO OF THE EVAC. MESS IN L. CHARLES
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WHY ARE EVACS SUCH A MESS?
THE VIDEO ABOVE shows a lot of blue roof tops in Lake Charles, La. All of those blue tarps indicate roofs or portions of roofs that were blown away by hurricane Laura just six weeks ago. Naturally, people know to get out having just gone through that massive mess. BUT, they waited until Thursday, at least most of them did from the indications of the traffic on the Interstate leading north.
The time to have left was Wednesday or, for those who were willing to take a greater risk, Friday morning very early. Did the city officials order an evacuation Thursday, causing the massive jam?
Here's another question: since it is important for people to get out as swiftly and safely as possible, why aren't police officers sent to choke points to keep the traffic moving? Why don't police departments take a greater role?
Years ago, people died in Houston during an evacuation years ago as thousands of cars got stranded on roads out of town. We should be learning from those kinds of experiences. One way is to stage the departure, advising people on the southern side of towns to go first and then, section by section, asking people to file out in a more orderly manner. (They do something like this in Paris, France, when more most of the city empties out for the traditional August vacation.)
It makes no sense to allow these kinds of messes to take place every time there is a big storm coming. Hurricane Delta sprang up very quickly, but we have had a whole week to get ready and the track forecast has been on Louisiana for days. A staged evacuation on Wednesday and Thursday would have made sense. For the individual or family, even waiting until Friday morning could have been a good strategy. The reason the US government spends billions of dollars tracking and forecasting hurricanes is to allow for safe and organized evacuation of the threatened area and then, almost every time, it turns into a grid blocked situation.
shot BY CHARLES PEEK, EARLY EVENING, 10.9.20
POWER POLES and trees came down in L. Charles
VIDEO OF EARLIER STORMS DOWN ON THIS PAGE
Significant storm surge flooding in a section of Galveston, Tx
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More video of what Hurricane Laura did in Louisiana. This is extensive drone video of Holly Beach and the destruction of beach houses.
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Some of the most dramatic video of damage from Laura now available.
Satellite photo, after the storm
Grand Lake, La., where at least dozens of houses were inundated with water (perhaps more) was one of the hardest hit by storm surge. At the left, Grand Lake H.S. with parts of houses/barns,etc, scattered across fields.
image@MaxarTechnologies
ESN News and the emergency services network
DISASTER PREPARATIONS
DISASTER PREPARATIONS
DISASTER PREPARATIONS
BEING READY for a hurricane or other natural disaster can save many lives, protect property and make recovery less burdensome and quicker. ESN News, along with our not-for-profit efforts, is designed to help communities, families and businesses be ready, be safe.
SURVIVAL
DISASTER PREPARATIONS
DISASTER PREPARATIONS
WHEN TO EVACUATE? How many, what areas, should go? These are decisions carefully made by state and local leadership but ESN News is there to assist in your decision...and it ultimately is your decision about how and when to get out.
RECOVERY
DISASTER PREPARATIONS
RECOVERY
TYPICALLY, MORE PEOPLE ARE INJURED DURING THIS PHASE OF A DISASTER THAN ANY OTHER. When people return to houses and businesses, there is still great danger from falling tree limbs, collapsing structures and the hundreds of possible injuries from reconstruction. ESN News will provide additional coverage to local media whenever possible.