Oct. 27 @ 12:45 p.m. – TS Zeta Phase 4 Mandatory Evacuation, Update 4
GLPC STORM PHASE 4: MANDATORY EVACUATION
Tropical Storm Zeta
UPDATE #4
Tuesday, October 27, 2020
12:45 p.m.
Lafourche Parish officials have issued a mandatory evacuation for 6:00 a.m. tomorrow morning, Wednesday, October 28, for the area below the lock in Golden Meadow. In conjunction with that evacuation order, GLPC is moving to GLPC Storm Phase 4: Mandatory Evacuation for Port Fourchon.
This means that all remaining personnel should evacuate the port in accordance with the Lafourche Parish President’s order by 6:00 a.m. tomorrow.
Tropical Storm Zeta is on track to pass through the Port Fourchon area as a Category 1 hurricane sometime Wednesday evening. Fortunately, Zeta is forecast to move quickly, lessening the length of time we receive severe impacts from wind and rain, but be prepared for 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 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 during the day today, but this may transition to road closure 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 12:00 p.m. today to aid in evacuation travels.
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 effective at 6:00 a.m. on Wednesday, October 28, 2020, 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 2-4 inches forecast Wednesday, with locally higher amounts possible. Greater risk for heavy rain with rain bands.
- TIDES/STORM SURGE: 3-6 feet of storm surge is currently forecast for the Port Fourchon area. Elevated tides expected Wednesday that will lead to coastal flooding. Dangerous marine conditions.
- WINDS: Strong to damaging winds expected, with probability of sustained tropical force winds and/or hurricane force winds on Wednesday.
- ROADWAYS: Roads are open to vehicular traffic but be alert for closure notices as storm waters rise into tomorrow. 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 10/27/2020 @ 10:00 AM):
- Hurricane Warning in effect for Lafourche Parish.
- Storm Surge Warning in effect for Lafourche Parish.
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.