This stretch of record-breaking heat in south Louisiana has put a strain on air conditioners across the area. And it also has caused some damage to part of one power company's infrastructure.
Several Louisiana communities were adversely affected by yesterday strong storms. The inclement weather shut down power, closed some schools, and is believed to have caused a residential fire as well.
According to KATC TV 3, a Lafayette Utilities System spokesperson says that at around 7:30 am a squirrel shorted out a distribution bus when it got between an insulator and ground. The outage area was approximately from E. Broussard Road to Ambassador Caffery Parkway and from Verot School Road to the Vermilion River.
Virtually the entire town of Kaplan was without electricity for several hours yesterday. Crews have repaired the problem and the power is now restored.