Louisiana

Hurricane-Proof Home Just Outside of Louisiana Built to Withstand Category 5 Storms

Published

2 years ago

June 10, 2024

Hurricane-Proof Home Just Outside of Louisiana Built to Withstand Category 5 Storms

In an era where the weather is getting just as crazy as soaring insurance rates, protecting our homes has never been more important. This reality drove Josh Morgerman, a well-established hurricane chaser and respected meteorologist, to construct a home designed to withstand the most powerful storms. Known as “iCyclone,” Morgerman has encountered the eye of over 70 hurricanes, providing him with unparalleled expertise in hurricane preparedness.

Who is Josh Morgerman?

Josh Morgerman’s reputation as a hurricane expert is well-earned. He has faced storms such as Haiyan, Ian, and Hurricane Patricia, the latter being the strongest cyclone ever observed, with winds reaching 215 mph. His extensive experience led him to the decision to build a hurricane-resistant home in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi—an area notorious for devastating hurricanes like Katrina and Camille.

Seriously, a Hurricane-Proof Home

Morgerman’s home, which he affectionately calls his “Hurricane House,” appears at first glance to be a traditional southern shotgun house. However, this home is anything but ordinary.

“If I’m going to build a home here, it has to be designed and built right; it has to be hurricane tough,” Morgerman explains. The house is a “FORTIFIED Gold” standard home, a designation from the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety, indicating it meets the highest construction standards for hurricane resistance.

The Fortification Process

Morgerman emphasized the importance of involving a third-party inspector during construction to ensure the home meets all safety recommendations.

This process not only guarantees the house’s resilience but also significantly reduces insurance rates. “Once you comply with all their recommendations, you receive a certificate that says your home is fortified gold,” he said, highlighting the dual benefits of safety and savings.

Tips for Existing Homeowners

For those not building new hurricane homes (which is most of us), Morgerman offers practical advice for hurricane-proofing existing structures:
1. Roof Integrity: A standing seam metal roof is ideal for withstanding extreme winds.
2. Window Protection: Impact-resistant glass or shutters are essential to prevent structural damage.
3. Siding Upgrade: Fiber-cement siding, such as James Hardie siding, provides superior protection compared to traditional materials.

A Community of Weather Experts

Morgerman’s housewarming party, held on the first day of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season, attracted dozens of residents, weather enthusiasts, and meteorologist Jim Cantore.

The event underscored the importance of hurricane awareness and preparedness. “This is a celebration of hurricane awareness and preparedness,” Morgerman stated, urging attendees to ready themselves for what could be a particularly severe hurricane season.

A New Weather Station

Adding to his commitment to weather science, Morgerman installed a custom weather station in his backyard to measure winds up to 224 mph. “Mississippi gets the craziest hurricanes,” he remarked, emphasizing the need for accurate scientific measurements.

As the 2024 hurricane season approaches, Morgerman is fully prepared for whatever will come our way. Let’s hope Mother Nature doesn’t test the Hurricane House too hard, for our sake.

LOOK: The most expensive weather and climate disasters in recent decades

Stacker ranked the most expensive climate disasters by the billions since 1980 by the total cost of all damages, adjusted for inflation, based on 2021 data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The list starts with Hurricane Sally, which caused $7.3 billion in damages in 2020, and ends with a devastating 2005 hurricane that caused $170 billion in damage and killed at least 1,833 people. Keep reading to discover the 50 of the most expensive climate disasters in recent decades in the U.S.

Gallery Credit: KATELYN LEBOFF

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Louisiana

What CBD is legal in Louisiana? See state law for 2026

Published

2 hours ago

December 23, 2025

Press Room

What CBD is legal in Louisiana? See state law for 2026

CBD, also known as cannabidiol, is a non-intoxicating compound from the cannabis or hemp plant that does not cause a “high,” unlike THC, according to the CDC.

CBD was first approved as a drug for the treatment of seizures in children with severe forms of epilepsy, but now, CBD is used for other purposes like pain relief, sleep and general wellness, says Brown University Health.

Despite CBD’s availability and supposed benefits, CBD products are not risk free, as there are possible side effects and risks associated with CBD use, according to Brown University Health.

What is Louisiana’s state law for CBD in 2025? What to know

Under the Agriculture Improvement Act in 2018, hemp was removed from the federal Controlled Substances Act, which effectively legalized CBD if it comes from hemp, according to the CDC.

Despite hemp-derived CBD being legal at the federal level, some states have not removed hemp from their state’s-controlled substances acts, meaning that the legality of CBD products varies across states, says the CDC.

Following the enactment of this legislation, Louisiana passed Act 164 in 2019, effectively legalizing the cultivation and production of industrial hemp in the state, says Louisiana State Cannabis.

The legislation defined hemp as a cannabis plant containing no more than 0.3% THC, therefore, CBD products derived from hemp are legal in Louisiana. However, marijuana-derived CBD remains illegal for recreational use in the state, according to Louisiana State Cannabis.

Although, Louisiana enacted Act 491 in 2015, which allows the use of medical marijuana, as well as marijuana-derived CBD, to treat certain diseases and medical conditions in the state, says Louisiana State Cannabis.

Presley Bo Tyler is a reporter for the Louisiana Deep South Connect Team for USA Today. Find her on X @PresleyTyler02 and email at PTyler@Gannett.com

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Louisiana

‘One suicide is too many;’ Man runs across Louisiana to raise awareness for veteran, teen suicide

Published

14 hours ago

December 23, 2025

Press Room

‘One suicide is too many;’ Man runs across Louisiana to raise awareness for veteran, teen suicide

La. (KPLC) – A run across Louisiana has come to an end, but the conversation it sparked is far from over.

Jeremy Adams, a Louisiana veteran who served in Afghanistan, completed the run to raise money for a public high school while drawing attention to veteran and teen suicide.

The run began Friday, Dec. 18 at the Texas state line at Bon Weir and stretched more than 100 miles across the state, ending in Natchez, Mississippi.

“Finished around 10 o’clock last night (Dec. 21) in Natchez. I got a police escort by the Vidalia Police Department over the river bridge,” Adams said.

Adams says the run was not easy and hopes this inspires others to keep moving forward, no matter what battle they may be facing.

“I was tired. I ran at night. My feet are hurting; I got screws in my feet. I kept moving forward; I didn’t quit. That’s what I wanted to teach veterans and kids (contemplating) suicide, don’t quit. There’s somebody out there that cares. Don’t end the story before God gives you a chance to show you his plans,” he said.

Adams says the run raised money for East Beauregard High School, the school that Adams says gave him a second family.

“In 2017, a good friend of mine there died of a drug overdose, and that’s what got me running. I quit drinking that year, quit smoking the following May, and then I decided to start running,” Adams said.

Adams is a veteran himself and has overcome his own battles with drug and alcohol addiction, which led him to be interested in running.

“In 2011, the Lord changed everything. I got wounded by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan. It shattered both my heel bones. They said it was a 50% chance I would walk again,” he said.

Although the run is over, Adams says the mission continues, urging people to talk, listen, and take action.

“One suicide is too many; there are gentlemen out there who went to battle, saw combat, and came home and still see that combat on a daily basis. If they need help, reach out and get help,” Adams said.

Adams says all proceeds from the run will go toward supporting students at East Beauregard High School.

If you’d like to donate to Adams’ cause, you can do so through his GoFundMe.

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Louisiana

Louisiana Public Service Commissioner Davante Lewis arrested on DWI count, State Police say

Published

1 day ago

December 22, 2025

Press Room

Louisiana Public Service Commissioner Davante Lewis arrested on DWI count, State Police say

Louisiana Public Service Commissioner Davante Lewis was arrested on a count of driving while intoxicated over the weekend, a Louisiana State Police spokesperson said.

Lewis, 33, was arrested in West Baton Rouge Parish, officials said.

It is the West Baton Rouge Parish jail’s policy to not book first-offense DWI offenders, therefore Lewis was not held.

First offense DWI is a misdemeanor charge.

State police said Lewis was initially stopped for driving without headlights.

In a statement, Lewis said he “will be working with lawyers to contest the charge.”

“I have great respect for the men and women who serve our community in law enforcement, and I believe everyone, myself included, is accountable to the law,” he said. “I appreciate the professionalism shown during the encounter.”

Lewis said he understands “the gravity of the situation” and why the community is concerned.

“As I always have, I plan to remain accountable through both my words and my actions, not just through my words,” he said in the statement. “My hope is that our focus remains on the consistent, good work we have accomplished advocating for Louisiana’s citizens.”

The five-member Public Service Commission regulates utilities in Louisiana, like electricity, water, gas and some telecommunications. Lewis’ district covers majority-Black communities stretching from New Orleans up to West Baton Rouge Parish.

Lewis, a Democrat, is the first openly gay person elected to state office in Louisiana. Since ousting longtime commissioner Lambert Boissiere III in a 2022 election, he has been a prominent critic of Entergy and other utilities.

Lewis is also a frequent foe of Gov. Jeff Landry. In February, the PSC board voted to remove him from his role as vice chair after he called Landry an “a**hole” on the social media app X in response to a post Landry made mocking a transgender Department of Health Official in former President Joe Biden’s administration. Lewis argued he was being held to a different standard because he is Black.

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