KENNER, La. (WGNO) — Several homeowners spent most of their day cleaning up debris and branches following overnight storms and ahead of more stormy weather.
“Get your generator running, boy, because it’s going to be a while before they ever get electricity back,” said homeowner Murry Howington.
Some are grateful for their generators amid widespread power outages, but for one couple on Bertolino Drive, their generator almost cost them their lives.
“The electricity in the house was on, and then it went off, so my father came back around to check it and see, and he said he saw flames shooting out from the generator,” said Connie Zimmermann, whose parents’ house caught fire.
Zimmermann says her parents were inside their house when their generator sparked a fire. Their neighbor helped them to safety and called 911.
Meanwhile, the couple may be without electricity through the weekend.
“My older parents are going to have to deal with being out of their house, and especially because it’s kind of scary because when the electricity comes back on, it would be nice if they could be here, but is it going to really be 10:00 Sunday night? I don’t know,” said Zimmermann.
Although Zimmermann says Kenner’s power outages are frustrating, she’s remaining positive.
“I’m just very grateful to their neighbor who was phenomenal, banging on the door, making sure they were alive, and everybody’s been so sweet and nice,” said Zimmermann.
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