September 08, 2020 Louisiana Department of Health verifies one additional hurricane-related death, bringing toll to 26

Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Sep 08, 2020 - The Louisiana Department of Health on Tuesday verifies one additional death tied to Hurricane Laura, bringing the state’s current death toll to 26. 

A 45-year-old male in Calcasieu Parish died of smoke inhalation and thermal burns in a house fire caused by using a candle or lantern for lighting. The coroner has confirmed this death is storm related.

Below are details on the 26 deaths LDH has verified to date:

• 14-year-old female, Vernon Parish, fallen tree
• 51-year-old male, Jackson Parish, fallen tree
• 68-year-old male, Acadia Parish, fallen tree 
• 64-year-old female, Allen Parish, fallen tree
• Male, Calcasieu Parish, drowning 
• 24-year-old male, Calcasieu Parish, carbon monoxide poisoning from generator
• 56-year-old female, Calcasieu Parish, carbon monoxide poisoning from generator
• 61-year-old male, Calcasieu Parish, carbon monoxide poisoning from generator
• 81-year-old female, Calcasieu Parish, carbon monoxide poisoning from generator
• 72-year-old male, Calcasieu Parish, carbon monoxide poisoning from generator
• 84-year-old male, Allen Parish, carbon monoxide poisoning from generator
• 80-year-old female, Allen Parish, carbon monoxide poisoning from generator
• 57-year-old male, Calcasieu Parish, head injury after falling from roof
• 31-year-old male, Calcasieu Parish, carbon monoxide poisoning
• 49-year-old male, Rapides Parish, storm cleanup
• 36-year-old male, Beauregard Parish, heat-related illness
• 80- to 89-year-old female, Beauregard Parish, heat-related illness
• 65-year-old male, Rapides Parish, heat-related illness
• 50-year-old male, Rapides Parish, heat-related illness
• 70-year-old male, Calcasieu Parish, carbon monoxide poisoning from generator
• 41-year-old male, Vernon Parish, heat-related illness
• 47-year-old male, Vernon Parish, heat-related illness
• 59-year-old male, Calcasieu Parish, head injury during storm cleanup
• 52-year-old male, Grant Parish, heat-related illness
• 25-year-old male, Natchitoches Parish, electrocution
• 45-year-old male, Calcasieu Parish, smoke inhalation and burns from house fire

In an effort to ensure the most accurate reporting of deaths that are attributable to Hurricane Laura, the Louisiana Department of Health will only report a death after it has been confirmed as storm-related by the parish coroner. 

Safe lighting

• If the power is out after a hurricane, use flashlights instead of candles.
• If you have to use candles, keep them away from anything that can catch fire. Always stay near lit candles.
• Keep a fire extinguisher handy, and make sure your family knows how to use it. Read the National Fire Protection Association’s tips for using fire extinguishers.