LAKE CHARLES, La. (KPLC) - We’re in the peak of hurricane season, and protecting our waterways means protecting a key part of the nation’s energy supply.

From current meters to streaming cameras, experts say technology is critical to keep the Calcasieu Ship Channel operational after a hurricane.

Breakwater current meters are essential for navigation in fog or storms, but when they fail, replacements take months. That gap can create dangerous conditions.

Brett Balmer, President of the Lake Charles Pilots Association, explains what happens when our ports malfunction.

“The Calcasieu River is the economic driver of Southwest Louisiana. If we’re not moving ships and moving product in Louisiana, you might turn the lights off because we’re so important to get those energy products in and out

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