Hurricane Isaac

A real-time map of the current outages affecting Entergy customers in New Orleans and throughout the metro region.

State wildlife and fisheries regulators have temporarily opened a section of beach along the Elmer's Island Refuge.

The open section will include the area at the end of the access road and continue about a half-mile to the east. Road access will open 30 minutes before sunrise and close 30 minutes after sunset seven days a week.

Officials said Tuesday that the temporary opening will be assessed after 10 days, and is subject to reconsideration.

Areas that will remain closed will be clearly marked.

Louisiana property owners with flood insurance policies whose homes or other structures were damaged during Hurricane Isaac have another 30 days to file claims for their flood losses.

Policy owners now have until Feb. 21 to complete their proof of loss.

The National Flood Insurance Program usually requires claims to be reported within 60 days of the date of loss but extensions have been granted because access to homes was limited by damage and high water.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has awarded East Baton Rouge Parish a $1.5 million grant to help city-parish government with costs associated with Hurricane Isaac.

The Advocate reports the grant, part of FEMA's Public Assistance program, will help reimburse the city-parish for equipment and supplies used during the response to Isaac and the recovery effort.

The grant covers the federal share — 75 percent — of the parish's eligible costs and the state or parish will pay the remaining 25 percent.