RSS Feed

John Carbaugh

Wed, 08/26/2020 - 9:15am

June 27, 1951 ~ August 24, 2020

KAPLAN — A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 1:00 PM on Saturday, August 29, 2020 at Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Roman Catholic Church honoring the life of John Warren Carbaugh, 69, who died Monday, August 24, 2020 at his residence. Reverend Mark Miley will be officiating the services.
He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Joyce Carbaugh of Kaplan; his son, Stephen Carbaugh of Kaplan; his sister, Anne Carbaugh of Houston, TX; his two brothers, Bill Carbaugh his wife, Dang of Houston, and Mike Carbaugh his companion, Suzette Cavanaugh of Seaside, CA; and his nieces and nephews, Mark Carbaugh, Amy Wakeman, and Kerianne Carbaugh.
He was preceded in death by his parents, William Lyle Carbaugh and the former Anita Waldman.
The family requests that visiting hours be observed at Vincent Funeral Home - Kaplan, 300 N. Eleazar Ave., on Friday, August 28, 2020 from 2:00 PM until 9:00 PM with a rosary being prayed at 7:00 PM; Saturday, August 29, 2020 from 8:00 AM until 12:45 PM when the procession departs for the church.
All funeral arrangements are being conducted by Vincent Funeral Home of Kaplan, (337) 643-7276 [Service Information 225-5276]. Condolences may be sent to the Carbaugh family at www.vincentfuneralhome.net.

James Williams

Wed, 08/26/2020 - 9:13am

March 26,1939 ~ August 22, 2020

James Williams, passed away on August 22, 2020, while at the Abbeville General Hospital. He was 81 years of age.
On March 26, 1939, he was born to Willie and Hilda Landry Williams. He graduated with the class of 1959, from Paul Breaux High School. As a native of Lafayette, in 1973, he moved to Abbeville.
James owned his own Janitorial Service and could always be seen in town washing windows. Being well known in the community, ‘he never met a stranger.’ In his spare time, he helped many people in Abbeville, by restoring and adding color to their photographs. He enjoyed dancing and singing, especially with his granddaughter Airyn. As a spiritual man, he symbolized his dedication to Jehovah God, by being baptized in 1957, as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. For many years, he served as a congregation elder and remained faithful with this assignment until the end.
James is survived by: his wife of 57 years, Virginia Womack Williams, from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; one daughter, Stephanie Williams Meare (Greg); two sons, Stephen Williams (Youlicea) and Kebbon Jacquet; one Granddaughter, Airyn Williams; two sisters, Betty Landry of Houston, TX, and Marion Hewitt of Baton Rouge; and a host of nieces and nephews.
James was preceded in death by his parents, Willie and Hilda Landry Williams; one son, Aaron Williams; five brothers, Willie Jr, Nathaniel, Roman, Leroy, and Harold Williams; one sister, Marva Williams; two nieces, Marvella and Bathsheba Williams.
Interment will be Private.

Earline Hebert Boudreaux

Wed, 08/26/2020 - 9:11am

July 23, 1935 ~ August 23, 2020

Due to current weather conditions, services are pending for Earline Hebert Boudreaux, 85, who died Sunday, August 23, 2020 at her residence.
Pallbearers will be Thomas Hebert, Blake Faulk, Gavin Faulk, Corey Delino, Devin Trahan, and Grant Boudreaux. Honorary pallbearers will be Nathan Boudreaux, Keith Faulk, Robert Chris Broussard, James Delino, Jr., James Delino III, Jacob Delino, William Faulk, Parker Boudreaux, and Kennon Boudreaux.
Born on July 23, 1935, Mrs. Boudreaux graduated from Abbeville High School in 1953. A homemaker most of her life, she was devoted to her family and Jesus Christ. Mrs. Boudreaux was a memorable, one-of-a-kind character who touched everyone she came in contact with and will be dearly missed.
She is survived by her husband of 56 years, Floyd J. Boudreaux; five daughters, Theresa G. Bertrand, Tina B. Faulk and husband Keith, Teri B. Delino and husband James, Jr., Nancy B. Trahan, and Mary B. Broussard and husband Chris; one son, Nathan J. Boudreaux and wife Kara Kennon; twelve grandchildren, Blake Faulk, Gavin Faulk, William Faulk, James Delino III, Corey Delino, Jacob Delino, Grant Boudreaux, Parker Boudreaux, Kennon Boudreaux, Devin Trahan, Ashley Trahan, and Izabella Broussard; seven great grandchildren, Alyssa Delino, Jocilyn Delino, Grayson Delino, Leo Faulk, Louis Faulk, Lucy Faulk, and River Trahan; and four godchildren, Thomas Hebert, Sarah Davidson, Christina Hebert, and Cathy Longee.
She was preceded in death by her first husband, Oris J. Bertrand; her parents, Alpheus Hebert and the former Loria Bertrand; two brothers, Wilton Hebert and Robert Steve Hebert; son-in-law, Kenneth J. Trahan; and godson, Peter LeBlanc.
The family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to Hospice of Acadiana especially Whitney Credeur and private caregivers, Tonya Desormeaux and Carleen Grogan whose compassionate care during her time of need was most appreciated. Additionally, the family would also like to thank all those who lifted her in prayer, which brought great comfort to them all.
Condolences may be sent to the family at.
All funeral arrangements are being conducted by Vincent Funeral Home of Abbeville, (337) 893-4661.
Please visit www.vincentfuneralhome.net for updated services details.

Delcambre Mayor Pam Blakely issues emergency declaration ahead of Hurricane Laura

Wed, 08/26/2020 - 9:04am

DELCAMBRE — Town of Delcambre (Iberia/Vermilion Parish), is currently facing the threat of high winds, heavy rains, storm surges and flooding as a result of Tropical Storm/Hurricane Laura.
Therefore, Mayor Pam Blakely has issued an Emergency Declaration, effective Monday, August 24, 2020.
Blakely said that after careful consideration and consultations with representatives of the Iberia Parish & Vermilion Parish Offices of Emergency Preparedness and out of an abundance of caution;
“I AM RECOMMENDING THAT ALL RESIDENTS OF the TOWN OF DELCAMBRE CONSIDER VOLUNTARILY EVACUATING, ESPECIALLY THOSE:
* Living in areas vulnerable to potential storm surges;
* Having special needs;
* Living in low-lying areas along the canal and drainage structures that have experienced flooding in the past; and/or
* Living in a structure that has experienced flooding following heavy rain events.”
Blakely said she also encouraging all of our residents to check their emergency supplies, create a protective plan of action for their families and pets and continue to monitor Iberia & Vermilion PINS (Parish Information Notification System) and our local news media for future weather updates. Those residents that wish to evacuate should begin that process immediately. Residents who choose to remain behind may find themselves without power and unable to leave the area due to possible floodwaters and storm debris.
TO THE RESIDENTS OF DELCAMBRE: if you are staying in your home (not evacuating), please call City Hall or send a message on our Facebook page messenger of your address and how many are in your home. This will assist the Town in providing assistance to those in need once clear of the storm.

At the age of 80, Whalen Bertrand is busy getting ready for Tropical Storm Laura Monday evening.

Whalen Bertrand lifts a boat trailer in order to back his tractor behind it. He moved the boat onto a ridge in case a storm surge hits Pecan Island.

Pecan Island resident takes a storm surge seriously

Wed, 08/26/2020 - 8:53am

Bertrand remembers almost drowning for Hurricane Audrey

PECAN ISLAND - Whalen Bertrand has been dealing with storm surge since he was 16 years old. Today, he is 80 years old and lives in Pecan Island.
For the last two days, Bertrand, who lives on the westside of Pecan Island, has been getting ready for Hurricane Laura. He has picked up things in his yard and carried them up to his house.
Laura is expected to bring a 7-11 foot storm surge to parts of Vermilion Parish.
Bertrand does not need a weather person to tell him if Laura is dangerous. He only needs to know where along the coast will the storm hit.
If the hurricane is going to hit on the east side of Pecan Island, Bertrand and his wife, Debra, stay home because there will not be a storm surge.
But if the storm hits on the west side of Pecan Island, the Bertrands leave the Island and head north to their camp in Lake Arthur.
On Wednesday, the Bertrands loaded their vehicles and left. As of Tuesday morning,
Hurricane Laura was projected to hit around Lake Charles or near Texas. That meant at least a 7 to 10 foot storm surge for people along the Acadiana coastline.
“That is all I need to know,”said Bertrand.
When most people in Vermilion Parish hear the words, “storm surge” they are reminded of flooding from Hurricane Ike and Rita some 15 years ago. But when Bertrand hears the words “storm surge” he is reminded about his life-threatening ordeal. At the age of 16, he and his family lived in Pecan Island when Hurricane Audrey hit the Cameron Coast in 1957.
A storm surge destroyed many homes in Cameron and Vermilion parish.
There was one home on the ridge that at least 30 Pecan Island residents crowded into during Hurricane Audrey. Unfortunately, Mother Nature sent a powerful storm surge that pushed that house a mile into the marsh. A handful who were in the house drowned.
“That was my worst hurricane,” said Bertrand. “I was caught in it. I remember waves hitting the roof. It was bad.”
Bertrand and Dalton Lege managed to swim to higher ground after the storm moved on.
Hurricane Audrey killed more than 400 people, a majority of them from Cameron Parish.
Because of Bertrand’s experience with Hurricane Audrey, he takes hurricanes and storm surge seriously.
When he built his home in 1989, he made it 10 feet above the ground. He did not flood for hurricanes Rita and Ike while everyone on the Pecan Island did.
Bertrand said he is not tired of dealing with storm surges because they do not happen too often. The last time Pecan Island had a major storm surge was in 2008 for Hurricane Ike. He stayed on the Island and helped clean up.
The Bertands plan to return to their home as soon as it is safe.
“When we get back, we will begin cleaning up around the house,” said Bertrand.

Curfew issued in Abbeville

Wed, 08/26/2020 - 8:44am

Due to the severe weather expected with Hurricane Laura, the city of Abbeville will have a curfew in effect from 10 p.m. tonight (Aug. 26) until 5 a.m. tomorrow (Aug. 27).
The curfew applies to all vehicular and pedestrian traffic, with the exception of emergency vehicles and personnel. This does not apply to anyone traveling to and from work or conducting essential city business activity. Curfews for tomorrow and any following day will be declared on a daily, based on ongoing conditions.
Chief of Police Bill Spearman would also like to remind all of the citizens that we are there, 24 hours a day, to serve you. We encourage all of our citizens to stay vigilant and contact us if you need. In addition to dialing 911, you can contact us at 893-2511. You may contact our “Tips” line at 892-6777. All callers may remain anonymous. Citizens may also send anonymous tips through the Tip411 system at the department’s Facebook page @ www.facebook.com/AbbevillePolice Department/, the official web page @ www.abbevillepd.com by clicking on the “Submit a Tip” link provided or through the official Abbeville Police Department app, which can be downloaded through the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.

Dennis Sonnier Sr.

Wed, 08/26/2020 - 8:40am

ERATH — Funeral Services for Mr. Dennis Sonnier Sr., 70, were held at David Funeral Home of Erath on Tuesday, August 25, 2020 at 11:00AM with burial at Migues Cemetery.
Visitation was held at David Funeral Home of Erath on Monday, August 24, 2020 from 12:00PM until 8:00PM. Visitation resumed on Tuesday, August 25, 2020 at 8:00AM until time of services will a recitation of the Rosary by Deacon Tim Marcantel officiating.
A native of Erath, Mr. Dennis passed away Thursday, August 20, 2020. He enjoyed playing cards at LA 14 in Erath and loved spending time with his grandchildren.
He is survived by his daughters, Tonia Lynn Sonnier Gisclair and her husband Keith of Abbeville, and Joni Lynn Sonnier of Abbeville; his son, Dennis Sonnier Jr. and his wife Chelsea of Erath; his grand children, Danielle Gisclair, Kami Gisclair, Ashley Gisclair, Shilia Sonnier, Kohl Sonnier, Gracie Sonnier, Paige Thibodeaux, Tyler Thibodeaux, and Allen Richardson Jr.; his great-grandchildren, Kali Broussard, Sawyer Richardson, and Addison Sonnier; and his sisters, Diane Sonnier, Joyce Sonnier, and Kathy Sonnier.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Barbara Lynn Breaux Sonnier; his parents, Joseph Dudley Sonnier and Olive Landry Sonnier; and his sisters, Mary Fontinoit, and Janet Cheramie.
You may sign the guest register book and express condolences online at www.davidfuneralhome.org
“In order to help keep the community safe we will honor the July 13, 2020 Louisiana Mandates. All families and their guests are required to wear a face covering while at the funeral home. Thank you for your understanding during this unprecedented time.”
David Funeral Home of Erath, 209 E. Putnam St. (337)937-0405 will be handling the arrangements.

LSU AgCenter file photo by Bruce Schultz
A combine cuts a rice crop as a storm approaches. South Louisiana farmers are hoping Hurricane Laura will have minimal effects on their crops and livestock.

Farmers prepare for Hurricane Laura by moving livestock, cutting crops

Wed, 08/26/2020 - 8:20am

Farmers are preparing for Hurricane Laura by getting their crops out of the fields and moving livestock away from coastal areas.
A previous storm that hit the Cameron Parish coast almost 15 years ago is being used as a reference with expectations Laura will bring a devastating storm surge.
“It’s looking like Hurricane Rita,” said Andrew Granger, LSU AgCenter agent in Vermilion Parish.
Granger said rice farmers are working into the night to get their crop harvested, noting the storm could ruin half of the parish’s second rice crop.
Cattle are being moved as far as north Louisiana, and it’s expected the storm will cause considerable damage with saltwater flooding. “Their fences will be gone,” Granger said.
Bradley Pousson, AgCenter agent in Cameron Parish, said a tidal surge possibly higher than 10 feet is expected along the Cameron Parish coast.
Cattle owners learned about moving their herds early after hurricanes Rita in 2005 and Ike in 2008. “We prayed we’d never have to do this again, but here we are,” Pousson said.
Jimmy Meaux, AgCenter agent in Calcasieu Parish, said Monday that cattle producers started moving herds this past weekend. “They got a lot moved yesterday but a lot more today. It just takes them a while to get them out of the marsh,” he said.
AgCenter regional beef cattle specialist Vince Deshotel has been helping cattle producers find safe pastures for their herds. “They’re just looking for short-term replacement pastures for the storm,” he said.
Farmers are receiving hay donations. “There’s plenty of hay out there this year,” Deshotel said.
The start of sugarcane harvest is just a few weeks away, and farmers are in the middle of planting cane for next year’s crop. Blair Hebert, AgCenter agent for sugarcane in the Bayou Teche region, said farmers have been able to finish about a third of the planting.
But the cane awaiting harvest will be affected by wind. If the plants are blown over, or lodged, the stalks will tend to grow upright if the cane isn’t knocked flat, but broken cane stalks will not recover.
“Sugarcane is a very resilient crop, and we’re certainly going to test it,” Hebert said.
This year was shaping up to produce a good sugarcane crop, possibly one of the best. “It sure had that potential to be up there,” he said.
A big problem for farmers after Rita was the amount of debris pushed into the fields by the tidal surge, complicating harvest.
Farmer Jeffrey Sylvester, of Whiteville, said he is caught up with rice harvest, but he has about 1,600 acres yet to mature. He was scrambling Monday to make drainage improvements on his soybean fields. “I have 700 acres of beautiful beans,” he said.
Farmer Richard Fontenot, of Vidrine, said he has gotten help and has been loaned equipment to finish the last of his rice crop. “We’ve been hitting it hard the last four days,” he said.
Fontenot said he attended a Farm Bureau meeting via Zoom on his phone while operating his combine. He expected to finish harvest Monday night.
AgCenter rice specialist Dustin Harrell said rice grain that’s still in the field could be knocked off the plants, and stalks could be blown down. Mature rice will sprout and become worthless if it is flooded. “Basically, you could lose the whole crop,” he said.
The soybean crop looks good this year. “Overall, the growing season for rice and soybeans has been very good,” Harrell said.
“It would be a big disaster for a storm to come in this late and ruin this crop,” Harrell added. “You can do everything right all year long and have this taken away in an instant.”

UPDATED 7 A.M.: LAURA WINDS REACH 110 MPH; MAY BE CATEGORY 4 WEDNESDAY

Wed, 08/26/2020 - 8:14am

NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER
HURRICANE LAURA
BULLETIN
urricane Laura Intermediate Advisory Number 26A
NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL AL132020
700 AM CDT Wed Aug 26 2020
...LAURA STRENGTHENS INTO A MAJOR HURRICANE...
...POTENTIALLY CATASTROPHIC STORM SURGE, EXTREME WINDS, AND FLASH
FLOODING EXPECTED ALONG THE NORTHWEST GULF COAST TONIGHT...
...STEPS TO PROTECT LIFE AND PROPERTY SHOULD BE RUSHED TO
COMPLETION IN THE NEXT FEW HOURS...
SUMMARY OF 700 AM CDT...1200 UTC...INFORMATION
----------------------------------------------
LOCATION...26.4N 91.4W
ABOUT 280 MI...450 KM SSE OF LAKE CHARLES LOUISIANA
ABOUT 290 MI...465 KM SE OF GALVESTON TEXAS
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...115 MPH...185 KM/H
PRESENT MOVEMENT...NW OR 310 DEGREES AT 15 MPH...24 KM/H
MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...963 MB...28.44 INCHES
WATCHES AND WARNINGS
--------------------
CHANGES WITH THIS ADVISORY:
None
SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT:
A Storm Surge Warning is in effect for...
* Freeport Texas to the Mouth of the Mississippi River
A Hurricane Warning is in effect for...
* San Luis Pass Texas to Intracoastal City Louisiana
A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for...
* Sargent Texas to San Luis Pass
* East of Intracoastal City Louisiana to the Mouth of the
Mississippi River
A Storm Surge Watch is in effect for...
* Mouth of the Mississippi River to Ocean Springs Mississippi
* Lake Pontchartrain, Lake Maurepas, and Lake Borgne
A Hurricane Watch is in effect for...
* East of Intracoastal City to west of Morgan City Louisiana
A Storm Surge Warning means there is a danger of life-threatening
inundation, from rising water moving inland from the coastline in
the indicated locations. For a depiction of areas at risk, please
see the National Weather Service Storm Surge Watch/Warning Graphic,
available at hurricanes.gov. This is a life-threatening situation.
Persons located within these areas should take all necessary
actions to protect life and property from rising water and the
potential for other dangerous conditions. Promptly follow
evacuation and other instructions from local officials.
A Hurricane Warning means that hurricane conditions are expected
somewhere within the warning area. Preparations to protect life
and property should be rushed to completion.
A Storm Surge Watch means there is a possibility of life-
threatening inundation from rising water moving inland from the
coastline in the indicated locations.
A Hurricane Watch means that hurricane conditions are possible
within the watch area.
A Tropical Storm Warning means that tropical storm conditions are
expected somewhere within the warning area.
For storm information specific to your area, including possible
inland watches and warnings, please monitor products issued by your
local National Weather Service forecast office.
DISCUSSION AND OUTLOOK
----------------------
At 700 AM CDT (1200 UTC), the eye of Hurricane Laura was located
near latitude 26.4 North, longitude 91.4 West. Laura is moving
toward the northwest near 15 mph (24 km/h) and this general motion
should continue today, followed by a north-northwestward motion
tonight. On the forecast track, Laura should approach the Upper
Texas and southwest Louisiana coasts this evening and move inland
near those areas tonight or Thursday morning.
Data from NOAA and Air Force Hurricane Hunter aircraft indicate
that maximum sustained winds have increased to near 115 mph (185
km/h) with higher gusts. Laura is a dangerous category 3 hurricane
on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale, and is forecast to continue
strengthening into a category 4 hurricane later today. Rapid
weakening is expected after Laura makes landfall.
Laura is a large hurricane. Hurricane-force winds extend outward
up to 70 miles (110 km) from the center and tropical-storm- force
winds extend outward up to 175 miles (280 km). Buoy 42395, located
just east of Laura's eye, recently reported a sustained wind of 74
mph (119 km/h) and a wind gust of 107 mph (172 km/h) and a wave
height of 37 feet (11 meters).
The latest minimum central pressure estimated from NOAA and Air
Force reconnaissance aircraft data is 963 mb (28.44 inches).
HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND
----------------------
Key messages for Laura can be found in the Tropical Cyclone
Discussion under AWIPS header MIATCDAT3 and WMO header WTNT43 KNHC.
Storm surge and tropical-storm-force winds will arrive within the
warning areas well in advance of Laura's center later today. All
preparations to protect life and property should be rushed to
completion in the next few hours.
STORM SURGE: The combination of a dangerous storm surge and the
tide will cause normally dry areas near the coast to be flooded by
rising waters moving inland from the shoreline. The water could
reach the following heights above ground somewhere in the indicated
areas if the peak surge occurs at the time of high tide...
Sea Rim State Park to Intracoastal City including Sabine Lake and
Calcasieu Lake...10-15 ft
Intracoastal City to Morgan City including Vermilion Bay...8-12 ft
Port Bolivar to Sea Rim State Park...6-9 ft
Morgan City to Mouth of the Mississippi River...4-7 ft
San Luis Pass to Port Bolivar...3-5 ft
Galveston Bay...3-5 ft
Mouth of the Mississippi River to Ocean Springs including Lake
Borgne...2-4 ft
Lake Pontchartrain and Lake Maurepas...2-4 ft
Freeport to San Luis Pass...2-4 ft
The deepest water will occur along the immediate coast near and to
the right of the landfall location, where the surge will be
accompanied by large and destructive waves. This storm surge could
penetrate up to 30 miles inland from the immediate coastline in
southwestern Louisiana and far southeastern Texas.
Surge-related flooding depends on the relative timing of the surge
and the tidal cycle, and can vary greatly over short distances. For
information specific to your area, please see products issued by
your local National Weather Service forecast office.
WIND: Hurricane conditions are expected in the hurricane warning
area tonight and Thursday. Tropical storm conditions are
expected to reach the coast in the hurricane warning area late
today or tonight, and are expected in the tropical storm
warning area tonight and Thursday.
Hurricane-force winds and damaging wind gusts are also expected to
spread well inland into portions of eastern Texas and western
Louisiana early Thursday.
RAINFALL: From this afternoon through Friday, Laura is expected to
produce rainfall totals of 5 to 10 inches, with isolated maximum
amounts of 15 inches across portions of the northwestern Gulf Coast
from western Louisiana to far eastern Texas, and northward into much
of Arkansas. Over the lower to middle Mississippi Valley from
central Louisiana into western Tennessee and Kentucky, and
southeastern Missouri, 2 to 4 inches of rainfall with isolated
totals of 6 inches are expected. This rainfall will cause
widespread flash and urban flooding, small streams to overflow their
banks, and minor to isolated moderate river flooding.
By late Friday into Saturday, portions of the Tennessee and Ohio
Valley could see 2 to 4 inches with locally higher amounts as
tropical moisture from Laura moves through the region. This
rainfall could lead to localized flash and urban flooding along
small streams.
TORNADOES: A few tornadoes are expected this evening through
tonight over Louisiana, far southeast Texas, and southwestern
Mississippi. The risk for a few tornadoes should continue into
Thursday across Louisiana, Arkansas, and western Mississippi.
SURF: Swells produced by Laura are affecting the U.S. Gulf coast
from the west coast of Florida to Louisiana and are expected to
reach the coast of Texas and northeastern Mexico today. These
swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current
conditions. Please consult products from your local weather office.

Prepare ahead to keep food safe during power outages

Tue, 08/25/2020 - 4:08pm

Tobie Blanchard, LSU AgCenter

BATON ROUGE — With Hurricane Laura expected to make landfall on the coast of Louisiana, many residents in the state may find themselves without electricity. The safety of refrigerated and frozen foods is always a concern following extended power outages.
LSU AgCenter food safety expert Wennie Xu recommends planning ahead to have plenty of ice on hand before the anticipated outage.
You can purchase or make ice and store it in the freezer for use in the refrigerator or in a cooler. You also can freeze gel packs for use in coolers.
“Plan ahead, and know where dry ice and block ice can be purchased,” Xu said.
She suggests freezing refrigerated items such as leftovers, milk, and fresh meat and poultry that you may not need immediately.
“This helps keep them at a safe temperature longer,” she said, adding that grouping foods together also helps the food stay cold longer.
Limiting trips to the refrigerator and freezer while the electricity is out can extend the safety of the food inside, Xu said. You can do this by having coolers for regularly used foods to limit opening the refrigerator if the power will be out for more than four hours.
It’s a good idea to have an appliance thermometer in the freezer to monitor the temperature or have a tip-sensitive meat thermometer on hand to check the temperature of the food.
“If an appliance thermometer was kept in the freezer, check the temperature when the power comes back on,” she said. “If the freezer thermometer reads 40 degrees Fahrenheit or below, the food is safe and may be refrozen.”
If you don’t have a thermometer, you can check each package of food to determine if it is safe.
“You can’t rely on appearance or odor. If the food still contains ice crystals or is 40 degrees Fahrenheit or below, it is safe to refreeze or cook,” Xu said.
Refrigerated food should be safe as long as the power was out for no more than four hours and the refrigerator door was kept shut. Xu recommends discarding any perishable food, such as meat, poultry, fish, eggs or leftovers that have been at temperatures above 40 degrees Fahrenheit for two hours or more, or one hour if room temperatures are above 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
Perishable foods such as meat, poultry, seafood, milk and eggs that are not kept adequately refrigerated or frozen may cause illness if consumed — even when they are thoroughly cooked.
A manual can opener is a good tool to have so you can eat shelf-stable canned foods while without electricity.
Xu recommends having a bottle of bleach to disinfect waterproof food containers, including undamaged, commercially prepared foods in all-metal cans and retort pouches, such as flexible, shelf-stable juice or seafood pouches, if they came in contact with any floodwater.
And be prepared with bottled water for every member in the household. Have at least two quarts — and preferably a gallon — of water for each person per day.
“Also, do not forget to pack masks and other PPE if you have to evacuate since we are still in the COVID-19 pandemic,” she said.

RSS Feed

John Carbaugh

James Williams

Earline Hebert Boudreaux

Delcambre Mayor Pam Blakely issues emergency declaration ahead of Hurricane Laura

Pecan Island resident takes a storm surge seriously

Curfew issued in Abbeville

Dennis Sonnier Sr.

Farmers prepare for Hurricane Laura by moving livestock, cutting crops

UPDATED 7 A.M.: LAURA WINDS REACH 110 MPH; MAY BE CATEGORY 4 WEDNESDAY

Prepare ahead to keep food safe during power outages

Pages

Vermilion Today

Abbeville Meridional

The Kaplan Herald

Site Links