Oct. 8 @ 8:15 a.m. – Hurricane Delta Phase 3 Recommended, Update 6
GLPC STORM PHASE 3: RECOMMENDED EVACUATION
Hurricane Delta
UPDATE #6
Thursday, October 8, 2020
8:15 a.m.
Port Fourchon remains in Storm Phase 3: Recommended Evacuation. Hurricane Delta is a Category 2 hurricane and is moving through the central Gulf of Mexico, with expected landfall in southwest Louisiana on Friday as a strong Category 2 or 3 storm.
Although Port Fourchon is not in Hurricane Delta’s direct path as of this morning, we remain on the more dangerous eastern side of the storm and will still likely see significant impacts from water and wind. The Port Fourchon area is under both Tropical Storm Warning and Storm Surge Warning.
There are no mandatory evacuation orders or road closures at this time. We anticipate that parish officials will call for a mandatory evacuation sometime today, Thursday, October 8, to be effective this evening as storm waters rise.
LA DOTD has suspended tolls on the LA 1 Expressway in Leeville to assist in evacuation efforts.
Non-essential personnel should evacuate the port. 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, 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 once Phase III has been activated; any unleased dolphins will be considered first come, first served until the storm is over.
Please review your facility’s hurricane plan, be thoughtful of stockpiling any loose material or excess items that could fly away or be damaged if Port Fourchon is affected by a storm, and make sure the Port Commission has your facility’s updated contact information so that you can receive timely storm-related information.
POSSIBLE IMPACTS IN THE PORT FOURCHON AREA:
- RAINFALL: Heavy rainfall possible today through Saturday where rain bands develop.
- TIDES/STORM SURGE: 4-6 feet of storm surge is currently forecast for the Port Fourchon area. Elevated tides expected to affect portions of the area this evening. Dangerous marine conditions.
- WINDS: Strong, gusty winds expected late tonight and into Friday morning. Isolated tornadoes possible from Friday morning to Saturday morning.
- ROADWAYS: Roads are open to vehicular traffic with no anticipated closures during the day today, but be alert. Coastal flooding is a concern as always on Hwy 1 between Leon Theriot Flood Gates in Golden Meadow and Elevated Hwy 1 in Leeville.
WARNINGS, WATCHES, & ADVISORIES (Updated 10/08/2020 @ 4:00 AM):
- Tropical Storm Warning in effect for Lafourche Parish until further notice
- Storm Surge Warning in effect for Lafourche Parish until further notice
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.