August 27 @ 4:30 p.m. – Ida Phase 4 Mandatory Evacuation, Update 4
GLPC STORM PHASE 4: MANDATORY EVACUATION
Hurricane Ida
UPDATE #4
August 27, 2021
4:30 p.m.
Lafourche Parish officials have issued a mandatory evacuation for 5:00 a.m. tomorrow morning, Saturday, August 28, for all of Lafourche Parish, especially for those in low-lying areas, mobile homes, and RVs.
In conjunction with that evacuation order, GLPC is moving to GLPC Storm Phase 4: Mandatory Evacuation for Port Fourchon tomorrow morning at 5:00 a.m. as well.
This means that all remaining personnel should evacuate the port in accordance with the Lafourche Parish President’s order by 5:00 p.m. tomorrow.
Hurricane Ida has the potential to pass through the Port Fourchon area as a major hurricane. Although Ida’s exact path remains uncertain, forecasters are increasingly confident that we will receive severe impacts from wind and water. Be prepared for heavy rainfall, significant storm surge outside of the levee system, and sustained tropical force and/or hurricane force winds.
Please secure hazards and clear non-essential equipment from facility grounds, prepare office areas to minimize water intrusion damage, secure buildings with storm shutters or plywood over windows and doors, secure fuel tanks and storage areas, shut off utilities (water, electricity, etc.) if possible, especially main 2-inch water lines to port facilities, and remove all small craft that can be hauled or trailered from port facilities and waterways, well away from the effects of possible storm surge and high winds. Remember, all vessels remaining in port must be manned. No new mooring dolphin rentals will be accepted; any unleased dolphins will be considered first come, first served until the storm is over.
Roads are currently open to vehicular traffic with no anticipated closures today, but this may transition to road closure tomorrow if storm waters rise enough to overtop the roadway on low-lying areas of LA 1 below the Golden Meadow Lock.
LA DOTD has temporarily suspended tolls on the elevated LA 1 Expressway in Leeville as of 10:00 a.m. today, August 27, to aid in evacuation travels. The emergency order can be found here.
A checkpoint manned by Port Fourchon Harbor Police will be in place by 6:00 a.m. tomorrow morning at GLPC’s Fourchon Operations Center on LA 3090 to monitor traffic in and out of the port and maintain safety during mandatory evacuation.
All GLPC offices are on office closure on Monday, August 30, 2021, 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.
POSSIBLE IMPACTS IN THE PORT FOURCHON AREA:
- RAINFALL: Heavy rainfall totals of 8-16 inches forecast, with isolated higher amounts of up to 20 inches possible. Heaviest rainfall is expected Sunday and Monday.
- TIDES/STORM SURGE: Potential risk of 7-11 feet of storm surge for the Port Fourchon area. Elevated tides expected late Saturday into Sunday that will lead to coastal flooding. Dangerous marine conditions.
- WINDS: Strong, damaging winds expected, with sustained tropical force and/or hurricane force winds likely on Sunday. A few weak and short-lived tornadoes possible in rain bands.
- ROADWAYS: Roads are open to vehicular traffic but be alert for closure notices as storm waters rise over the weekend. Coastal flooding is a concern as always on LA 1 between the Leon Theriot Lock in Golden Meadow and the entrance to the elevated LA 1 Expressway in Leeville.
WARNINGS, WATCHES, & ADVISORIES (Updated 8/27/2021 @ 4:00 PM):
- Hurricane Warning in effect until further notice for Lafourche Parish.
- Storm Surge Warning in effect until further notice for Lafourche Parish.
- Flash Flood Watch in effect for Lafourche Parish through 10:00 p.m. tonight.
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 evaluate the threat this weather poses and keep you updated with any developing weather-related issues.