Collection:LPB

Genre: News, Public Affairs

Place Covered: Franklinton, Washington Parish, Louisiana, Bogalusa, Washington Parish, Louisiana

Copyright Holder: Louisiana Educational Television Authority

Date Issued: 2005-09-09

Duration: 00:05:37

Subjects: Hurricane Katrina, 2005 | Hurricanes | Natural Disasters | Hurricane damage | Disaster response and recovery | Electric power failures | Electric cooperatives | Hospitals | Vitter, David | DAIRY FARMS | Agriculture

Contributors:

• Ekings, Robyn Host
• Whinham, Charlie Host
• Gautreaux, Kevin Producer
• Fortenberry, Rex Q. Photographer
• Taylor, M.E. "Toye" Interviewee
• Gibson, Billy Interviewee
• Bateman, Bob Interviewee
• Foster, Rodney Interviewee
• Meads, LeVern Interviewee
• Vitter, David Interviewee
• Beatty, John Interviewee

This segment from the September 9, 2005, episode of the series “Louisiana: The State We’re In” features producer Kevin Gautreaux’s visit to Washington Parish to assess the damage caused by Hurricane Katrina. He talks to Washington Parish President M.E. “Toye” Taylor about the possibility that it will take two months before all of the power is restored in the parish, the communication break-down following the storm, the parish being in self-survival mode, and his fears that the parish will experience an economic collapse in the coming months. Gautreaux also talks to Billy Gibson of the Association of Louisiana Electric Cooperatives and Bob Bateman of the Washington-St. Tammany Electric Cooperative about their challenge in clearing debris from the power lines and restoring power to an area with an estimated 3500 miles of downed power lines. Gautreaux then visits the LSU Health Sciences Center in Bogalusa and talks to CEO LeVern Meads about the impact of the storm on the hospital. He also interviews United States David Vitter about the local heroes on the ground, who are helping to bring their communities together. Lastly, Gautreaux speaks to Dr. John Beatty, a dairy consultant, about the impact of Hurricane Katrina on the region’s dairy industry. Hosts: Robyn Ekings and Charlie Whinham