August 24 @ 8:00 a.m. – Phase 5 Storm in Port, Update 7
GLPC STORM PHASE 5: STORM IN PORT
Tropical Storms Laura & Marco
UPDATE #7
Monday, August 24, 2020
8:00 a.m.
Port Fourchon remains in Storm Phase 5, which is Storm in Port. This means that a tropical storm or hurricane will make landfall within 24 hours. Marco has been downgraded to a tropical storm but has not yet made landfall.
Tropical Storms Laura and Marco are both expected to make landfall along the Louisiana coast this week, with landfall for Marco expected this evening and Laura’s landfall late Wednesday/early Thursday.
According to the National Hurricane Center, Marco’s track has shifted east of the previous track but is still expected to track westward and skirt along the Louisiana coast, bringing rain and some wind. Laura’s track has shifted eastward as well, but her eventual path remains uncertain.
Marco’s weather impacts will generally be greatest today and tonight; Laura’s impacts are expected to follow Marco’s, likely late Tuesday through Friday.
Lafourche Parish has issued a mandatory evacuation for all residents and businesses south of the Leon Theriot Lock in Golden Meadow as of 12:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 23, 2020.
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. If Laura’s track begins to shift farther east, impacts to the local area would increase.
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. Marco will bring occasional bands of showers and thunderstorms with brief, heavy rainfall possible through tonight. Rainfall totals of 3-5 inches are forecast through Tuesday, with locally higher amounts possible.
- TIDES/STORM SURGE: Storm surge of 2-4 feet possible. Minor to moderate coastal flooding, maximizing as Laura moves onshore and pushes water inland. Dangerous marine conditions expected throughout the week.
- WINDS: Strong/gusty winds with pockets of damaging winds; a few tornadoes possible.
- ROADWAYS: No closures in effect at this time, but a checkpoint manned by law enforcement has been put in place to monitor traffic and road conditions below the lock. Expect LA 1 to be closed to all vehicles south of the Leon Theriot Lock in Golden Meadow once water levels overtop the roadway and impact safety.
WARNINGS, WATCHES, & ADVISORIES (Updated 8/24/2020 @ 7:00 AM):
- TROPICAL STORM 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.
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.