August 23 @ 12:00 p.m. – Phase 4 Mandatory Evacuation, Update 5
GLPC STORM PHASE 4: MANDATORY EVACUATION
Hurricane Marco & Tropical Storm Laura
UPDATE #5
Sunday, August 23, 2020
12:00 p.m.
GLPC is moving to GLPC Storm Phase 4: Mandatory Evacuation for Port Fourchon, as ordered by the Lafourche Parish President, effective at 12:00 noon today, Sunday, August 23, for the area below the lock in Golden Meadow.
This means that all remaining personnel should evacuate the port in accordance with the Lafourche Parish President’s order.
Tropical Storm Laura and Hurricane Marco are both expected to make landfall along the Louisiana coast this week, with landfall for Marco, just upgraded to a Category 1 hurricane, near Grand Isle on Monday evening and Laura’s landfall late Wednesday/early Thursday near the Texas-Louisiana border. Laura’s track and strength are less certain at this time. Marco’s weather impacts are arriving today through Tuesday; Laura’s impacts are expected to follow Marco’s, likely late Tuesday through Friday.
All GLPC offices are on office closure effective 6:00 a.m. on Monday, August 24, 2020 and will remain closed until the threat of the storms has passed, but GLPC Harbor Police and essential personnel will remain on duty during the storm to monitor conditions and take action as needed. NOTE: Emergency services may not be readily available in areas under mandatory evacuation during extreme weather events. As during any emergency, dial 911.
GLPC Committee Meetings scheduled for Wednesday, August 26, 2020 have been postponed until a later date to be determined.
After the storms have passed and roadways are cleared for passage, the Port Commission will notify port businesses when limited or full access is given to tenants to return and assess any damage to facilities.
POSSIBLE IMPACTS IN THE PORT FOURCHON AREA:
- RAINFALL: Potential for heavy rainfall all week. Rainfall totals of 3-6 inches are forecast through Thursday, with locally higher amounts possible.
- TIDES/STORM SURGE: Expected storm surge of 4-6 feet. Elevated tides with minor to moderate coastal flooding and dangerous marine conditions expected throughout the week.
- WINDS: Strong/gusty winds with pockets of damaging winds and a few tornadoes possible between Sunday and Tuesday from TS Marco; TS Laura could bring strong, damaging winds Wednesday to Friday.
- ROADWAYS: Roads are currently open to vehicular traffic, but expect road closure due to water overtopping the roadway on Hwy 1 between Leon Theriot Flood Gates in Golden Meadow and Elevated Hwy 1 in Leeville.
WARNINGS, WATCHES, & ADVISORIES (Updated 8/23/2020 @ 10:00 AM):
- HURRICANE WARNING (for Lafourche Parish) in effect.
- STORM SURGE WARNING (for coastal areas of SE LA and MS from Morgan City to
- Ocean Springs) in effect.
- FLASH FLOOD WARNING (for coastal areas of SE LA) in effect.
EMERGENCY STORM HARBOR MARINA:
GLPC has opened the Emergency Storm Harbor Marina to commercial fishing vessels seeking safe harbor within the South Lafourche Levee System. Utilization of this marina will be on a first come, first served basis. Harbor Police will be on scene to monitor marina activity.
Visit this link to view GLPC Ordinance No. 74 regarding Storm Harbor Marina use:
https://portfourchon.com/wp-content/uploads/Ordinance74.pdf
NOTIFICATIONS AND WEATHER INFORMATION:
If you have signed up to any of our public information or emergency notification lists, e-mails, and/or social media, messages will be sent out regularly during a weather event with up-to-date information. If you would like to sign up for any notifications from the Port Commission, visit our NOTIFY ME page.
Visit the Port Commission’s WEATHER & STORM INFO webpage for links to current storm information, helpful storm prep information and resources, and contact updating forms.
We will continue to monitor potential disturbances and keep you updated with any developing weather-related issues affecting port and airport.