Port Fourchon Back in Business after Gustav and Ike
(GALLIANO, LA) In the aftermath of Hurricanes Gustav and Ike, the Port Commission has worked diligently to restore access to businesses in Port Fourchon. The roads to Port facilities have been cleared, and the Harbor Police are allowing business and camp owners, employees, deliveries, and other commercial traffic through the Port Fourchon checkpoint. Belle Pass and all port waterways are open for marine traffic; however, the US Coast Guard has restricted Belle Pass to a maximum 20 foot draft, and the Golden Meadow and Larose floodgates are closed until further notice due to high tides. The floodgates will re-open as soon as the tidewaters recede, which could be as early as tomorrow.
All of Port Fourchon, including Fourchon Beach, is closed to the public until further notice due to storm damage. There are no facilities to serve the public in the Port at this time. Sightseeing and recreational fishing are not allowed.
Cleanup and repair to port facilities are proceeding rapidly, and the Port Commission anticipates a quick return to normal operations. Phone service has been restored, but electricity may not be restored for several weeks.
“It is estimated that as a result of Gustav and Ike, over $7 billion worth of oil and gas was made unavailable to the American public,” said Ted Falgout, Executive Director of Port Fourchon. “The Port is ramping up very quickly to play its role in recovery of the Gulf of Mexico energy industry.”
Information on Port Fourchon is available online at www.portfourchon.com or by using the Port’s Public Information Line at 1-985-798-5335, toll-free 1-866-600-7803. Both are updated regularly.