Oct. 9 @ 8:00 a.m. – Hurricane Delta Phase 4 Mandatory, Update 9
GLPC STORM PHASE 4: MANDATORY EVACUATION
Hurricane Delta
UPDATE #9
Friday, October 9, 2020
8:00 a.m.
Port Fourchon is in Storm Phase 4: Mandatory Evacuation, as ordered by the Lafourche Parish President, 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.
Hurricane Delta continues to track toward making landfall in southwest Louisiana this evening. Although Port Fourchon is not in Hurricane Delta’s direct path, we remain on the more dangerous eastern side of the storm and will still likely see impacts from water and wind. Coastal flooding chances increase in low-lying areas as storm waters rise today into tomorrow.
Roads are currently open to vehicular traffic, but this will transition to road closure if tides rise and overtop the roadway on low-lying areas of LA 1 below the Golden Meadow Lock. LA DOTD has suspended tolls on the elevated LA 1 Expressway in Leeville.
Port Fourchon Harbor Police will be monitoring the condition of the roadway, and the Port Commission will send out updates as they become available.
A checkpoint manned by Port Fourchon Harbor Police has been put in place at GLPC’s Fourchon Operations Center on LA 3090 to monitor traffic in and out of the port and maintain safety during mandatory evacuation.
After the storm has 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.
All GLPC offices are on office closure Friday, October 9, 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 possible today through Saturday where rain bands develop.
- TIDES/STORM SURGE: 3-5 feet of storm surge possible. Elevated tides expected to affect our area as storm surge pushes inland today. 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 at this time, but be alert for closure notices as storm waters rise. Expect LA 1 to be closed to all vehicles south of the Leon Theriot Lock in Golden Meadow if water levels overtop the roadway and impact safety.
WARNINGS, WATCHES, & ADVISORIES (Updated 10/09/2020 @ 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.