2 heat-related deaths latest attributed to Hurricane Laura

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Two men clearing debris in the aftermath of Hurricane Laura have died from heat-related illness, Louisiana’s health department said Friday.

The deaths of the men, ages 41 and 47, occurred in Vernon Parish. They became the 21st and 22nd deaths attributed to the storm in Louisiana. With five earlier deaths in Texas, the total death toll for the storm so far is 27. The Category 4 storm roared ashore in southwest Louisiana on Aug. 27.

Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards noted that the deaths occurred as heat indices in much of the state have soared in recent days due to high temperatures and humidity.

“Just because the storm passed that doesn’t mean the threat has passed,” Edwards said during a news conference in New Orleans.