This blog will be updated with all the latest information on hurricanes and other storms throughout the 2010 Atlantic Hurricane season. The American Press staff will make posts as situations warrant.

We can be reached at these e-mail addresses during a storm:
- NEWS DEPT.: lcamericanpress@gmail.com
- WEBMASTER: webmaster@american-press.net

Bookmark this page! It will remain in operation even if the main American Press site loses power.

DSS launches "Operation Reconnect"

BATON ROUGE — More than 84,000 Louisiana residents are currently taking refuge in shelters in nine states and the Department of Social Services has created a hotline where loved ones can call to locate family members who evacuated for hurricane Gustav. The phone number is 1-800-957-1601 and it will be activated at noon central time.Family [...]

Turner: Minimal damage in Vernon

BY ELONA WESTON / AMERICAN PRESSLEESVILLE — Vernon Parish suffered only downed trees and power outages, according to Chief Deputy Calvin Turner of the Vernon Parish Sheriff’s Office.Turner said as of 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, utility crews were working to restore power to the Pitkin area, which suffered the most outages in the parish.Turner said thus far, [...]

Notice to Isle of Capri workers

Isle of Capri Casino in Lake Charles, La. is asking team members to contact their immediate supervisor for work schedules as the Company prepares to reopen.

14th Judicial District Court to reopen

The 14th Judicial District Court, Calcasieu Parish District Attorney’s Office, and Calcasieu Clerk of Court will be open on Thursday, Sept. 4 and Friday, Sept. 5.Calcasieu Parish District Attorney John DeRosier said Tuesday there will be no jury trials heard the remainder of this week but all other “criminal business” will be taken of this [...]

Beauregard sustains minimal damage from Gustav

BY ELONA WESTON / AMERICAN PRESSDERIDDER — Gustav caused minimal damage to Beauregard Parish, but did cause widespread power outages in some of the rural areas.Beauregard Parish had nearly 3,000 outages after the storm passed, yet most of DeRidder kept power.Utility workers are working to restore power as residents begin trying to resume their everyday lives. Some [...]

Lake Charles Diocese announces openings

The Lake Charles Diocese will reopen its offices at 414 Iris St. on Thursday, Sept. 4 but all diocese schools in Calcasieu Parish will be closed Wednesday and Thursday, according to Diocese officials. School will resume Friday.

McNeese Football Game on

McNeese State’s football game with Delta State set for Saturday in Cowboy Stadium will be played as scheduled according to athletic director Tommy McClelland. Kickoff for the McNeese-Delta State game at 7 p.m. Saturday. Tickets for the game will be available throughout the week at the McNeese ticket office which will re-open Wednesday morning. Ticket prices are $18 [...]

Statement on the lifting of Calcasieu's evacuation order and curfew

From the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury:The mandatory evacuation order for Calcasieu Parish has been lifted effective at 9am Tuesday, September 2nd. Parish officials are urging residents to exercise caution during re-entry, as many areas of Louisiana are still experiencing bad weather conditions, have extremely limited services such as gasoline and food, and some roads are [...]