Louisiana

More Bad News: 2005 vs 2024 Hurricane Seasons in Pictures

Published

3 weeks ago

May 24, 2024

More Bad News: 2005 vs 2024 Hurricane Seasons in Pictures

Lafayette, LA (KPEL News) – The majority of Louisiana residents, and even Americans, remember the hurricane season of 2005. A record 27 named storms formed that year, and 7 of them made landfall. The two hurricanes the jump to the minds of Louisiana residents are Katrina and Rita. That year, all the conditions were ripe for such an active season, and all those ingredients being mixed together just right proved disastrous.

Warm water fuels hurricanes. The warmer the water and the deeper it runs, the more gas there is to fuel the engine. Add low wind sheer to that recipe, and those tropical cyclones grow strong and big. Right now, the water in the Atlantic Basin and especially in the Gulf of Mexico are warmer going into hurricane season 2024 than they were in 2005. A La Nina pattern typically provides less wind sheer. That’s really bad news for Louisiana and Texas.

Katrina made landfall near the Louisiana/Mississippi line in August of 2005 with the third lowest pressure on record for a landfalling hurricane. The storm devastated New Orleans not only because of its strength, but also because the levees protecting the city broke and caused catastrophic flooding.

Rita came onshore on the Louisiana/Texas border between Sabine Pass and Johnson’s Bayou, decimating the coastal areas of Cameron Parish and causing devastation to communities further north and east. While Rita doesn’t get the recognition that Katrina does, it’s central pressure dropped 5 millibars lower than its predecessor. Most homes and businesses in Cameron Parish were completely washed away by storm surge and winds.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA) is predicting its most severe season to date for 2024, and they have made that prediction based on the forecast factors that drive hurricane formation: water temperature and wind sheer.

A side by side view, developed by Yale Climate Connections, of the conditions that existed in 2005 and the conditions they are looking at for the current forecast is frightening.

Yale Climate Connections

Courtesy Yale Climate Connections

They explain, in their writeup about hurricane season, why warm water in this particular area is concerning.

Although record-setting sea surface temperatures alone don’t guarantee a busy hurricane season, they do strongly influence it, especially when the abnormal warmth coincides with the tropical belt known as the Main Development Region, or MDR, the area where 85% of Category 3, 4, and 5 hurricanes form. When considered alongside a developing La Niña — the periodic cooling of the equatorial Pacific that reduces storm-busting Atlantic wind shear — the unprecedented ocean heat is driving up seasonal hurricane outlooks higher than ever before.

The data certainly backs up NOAA’s prediction for 17 to 25 total named storms (storms with winds of 39 mph or higher), 8 to 13 hurricanes (winds of 74 mph or higher), and 4 to 7 of those will become major hurricanes (category 3, 4 or 5; with winds of 111 mph or higher).

Read More: NOAA Releases ‘Severe’ 2024 Hurricane Season Forecast for LA, TX

Preparation and planning is key. No one has a crystal ball or knows if Louisiana or Texas will take a hit this year. Those of us who have lived through storms over the last few decades understand that it only takes one to make it a bad season.

2024 Hurricane Names

LIST: 10 Deadliest Louisiana Hurricanes

Gallery Credit: Rob Kirkpatrick

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Louisiana

What Food Is the FDA Recalling in Louisiana?

Published

4 hours ago

June 16, 2024

Press Room

What Food Is the FDA Recalling in Louisiana?

The Food and Drug Administration has issued a recall of popular items due to concerns over Salmonella contamination.

When you eat food contaminated with Salmonella can really take a toll on your body. It triggers salmonellosis in which you can get stomach cramps, diarrhea, and fever. It would not make a pleasant time. Between 12 hours through 72 hours after eating something contaminated with Salmonella you’ll start experiencing these issues.

Some of the items sold at Sam’s stores and Costco stores are being elevated in their risk level according to Newsweek.

While most people feel terrible they will eventually recover, but for older adults, and those with compromised immune systems, it may require a hospital stay.

If you love cookies then you need to check your refrigerator to see if you have any of the following cookie dough and don’t use it:

Stores like Sam’s, Costco, Panera Bread and more have the following items that are being recalled:

Costco Chocolate Chunk Frozen Cookie Dough, Net Wt. 33lb (14.97kg)

1.6 oz dough pucks Member’s Mark Chocolate Chunk, Net Wt. 14.85lb (6.74kg)

144/1.65 oz dough pucks/case Panera Chocolate Chipper Cookie

Net Wt. 41.25 lb (18.71kg), 220/3 oz dough pucks/case Rise Baking Jumbo Chocolate Chunk

Net Wt. 37.5 lb (17.01 kg), 240/2.5 oz dough pucks/case Mini Chocolate Chip Cookie

Net Wt. 16.87 lb (7.65 kg), 600/0.45 oz dough pucks/case Mini Chocolate Chip Cookie

According to the FDA, they are recalling 30,000 cases of cookie dough to make sure no one consumes the products.

If you have any of the products above with the following lot codes, you should not consume them:

4109N1
4110N1
4106N3
4107N3
4108N3
4109N3
4110N3
4116N1
4117N1
4109N4
4110N4
4115N1

READ ON: See the States Where People Live the Longest

Read on to learn the average life expectancy in each state.

Gallery Credit: Hannah Lang

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Louisiana

Try your hand at micro gardening this summer. And bid farewell to Miss Louisiana 2023 Makenzie Scroggs

Published

11 hours ago

June 16, 2024

Press Room

Try your hand at micro gardening this summer. And bid farewell to Miss Louisiana 2023 Makenzie Scroggs

Take on a new hobby this summer with micro-gardening, a great way to grow a cost-effective and adaptable garden in a small space. Check out a few helpful tips to growing vegetables in small spaces. For those that enjoy nature and hunting, find out where you can hunt alligators in northwest and south Louisiana.

Whether you decide to celebrate Dad with a hunting trip or his favorite restaurant, here are ways to celebrate Father’s Day. And Miss Louisiana 2023 says goodbye to the crown.

Explore Outdoors: Gardening and hunting

Although a garden may feel like an impossible task due to limited outdoor space, the power of containers and small space strategies can help, according to an LSU AG Center news release.

This type of gardening is known as micro gardening — a way to maximize limited spaces. By optimizing small areas through sustainable practices, it’s possible to grow food and flowers on balconies, kitchen counters, patios, porches, small yards and even rooftops. Enjoy fresh produce and beautiful flowers regardless of their lot size with these helpful tips.

Read more about micro-gardening Grow a cost-effective and adaptable garden in a small space

Where can you hunt alligators in south Louisiana?

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries will begin the alligator lottery harvest Aug. 28 and will last until Nov. 2. According to the LDWF, 22 LDWF Wildlife Management Areas, 28 public lakes and one U.S. Army Corp of Engineers lake will be on this list of properties to conduct the lottery.

Learn about fees, locations, and more Where can you hunt alligators in south Louisiana? LDWF releases list of locations

Best Father’s Day

Is your dad fashionable? Artistic? Sporty? Or a Foodie? This Father’s Day, plan the perfect day to appreciate the father figure in your life, even a the last minute. With so many great places in Lafayette, Father’s Day weekend can be celebrated right in the area with some of these local inspired gifts, outings, and eateries for Dad.

Ways to celebrate Father’s Day Whether dad is a foodie, artistic, or sporty, here are ways to celebrate Father’s Day

Crowning the new Queen

Before the new Miss Louisiana was crowned Saturday night, outgoing Miss Louisiana 2023 Makenzie Scroggs reflected on her reign. Scroggs was crowned the 60th Miss Louisiana on June 18, 2023.

Following her crowning, she told The Times she planned to use her title as a tool to show that women can do anything they put their minds to. In the past year, Scroggs has traveled 25,000 miles across the state and has visited more than 25 schools talking about her program and confidence-building workshops.

Read more about Scroggs journey Miss Louisiana Makenzie Scroggs reflects as she gets ready to say goodbye to the crown

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Louisiana

Miss Louisiana 2024 will be named from the 32 women across the state

Published

18 hours ago

June 15, 2024

Press Room

Miss Louisiana 2024 will be named from the 32 women across the state

Miss Louisiana will be named in a competition offering scholarships and in-kind prizes that concludes tonight.

After months of preparation, 32 women across Louisiana will compete in the final round at 8 p.m. at the Monroe Civic Center to see who will hold the coveted title over the next year.

The preliminary round of the competition resulted in over $10,000 in scholarships awarded and included competitions of health & fitness, evening wear, on-stage conversation and talent.

A spokesperson for the Miss Louisiana Organization said the women competing will be awarded nearly $1 million in scholarships and in-kind prizes for women who have achieved particular merit in their field by the end of the final round.

So far, the following women have received awards in the preliminary rounds:

Miss University of Louisiana at Monroe, Gabrelle McLeod. McLeod was awarded a $250 newcomer health & fitness award and a $500 overall preliminary health & fitness award.
Miss Ouachita Parish, Leah Thompson, received a $500 newcomer talent award.
Miss Belle of the D’Arbonne, Anna Katherine Thompson, won an overall talent award with a scholarship of $1,000.

Multiple women have received a “Women-in” scholarship of $1,000 for their accomplishments in their fields: