Weather & Storm Info
Tropical Storm Francine
Sept 9 @ 7:30 a.m. – PTC 6 Phase 1 Storm Watch, Update 1
GLPC PHASE I: STORM WATCH
Potential Tropical Disturbance 6
UPDATE #1
September 9, 2024
7:30 a.m.
The Port Commission is monitoring PTC 6 as it develops and travels through the Gulf of Mexico. This weather system is forecast to strengthen before making landfall in southwest Louisiana Late Wednesday.
The path and impacts of PTC 6 remain uncertain, but the potential for serious weather affecting our area is increasing rapidly. Tropical storm-force winds could impact our area from late Tuesday evening to late Thursday afternoon.
Port Fourchon businesses and coastal residents should be alert, but not alarmed, and monitor communications for updates and warnings.
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:
- There is still a great deal of uncertainty in the forecast. Impacts may vary widely depending upon eventual track, strength, size, and speed of movement. Moderate confidence on track and intensity.
- RAINFALL: widespread rainfall totals of 4-8″ are forecast with locally higher amounts, between 7a Tuesday and 7p Friday. Most of this rain will fall between 7a Wednesday and midday Thursday.
- TIDES/STORM SURGE: Minor to moderate coastal flooding will be possible. Some low-lying roads, lots and access routes could be flooded during the time of high tide, with the greatest impacts Wed and Thurs mornings
- WINDS: Gusty to damaging winds will be possible mainly on Wednesday and Wednesday night, with the strength of these winds highly dependent on the eventual track and intensity of the storm.
- ROADWAYS: No anticipated closures at this time.
- WATCHES & WARNINGS: PTC6 is forecast to become a tropical storm (Francine) later today, and continue gradually strengthening into a hurricane before landfall late Wednesday or early Thursday.
EMERGENCY STORM HARBOR MARINA:
GLPC is opening the Emergency Storm Harbor Marina at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, September 9, 2024, 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
PROHIBITING UNMANNED VESSELS DURING STORMS:
No vessels shall be left unmanned in Port Fourchon. This includes commercial fishing vessels, houseboats, offshore vessels, and barges.
Visit this link to view GLPC Ordinance No. 71 regarding unmanned vessels in Port Fourchon:
https://portfourchon.com/wp-content/uploads/ordinance71.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.
Sept 9 @ 11:00 a.m. – TS Francine Phase 2 Voluntary, Update 2
GLPC PHASE II: VOLUNTARY EVACUATION
Tropical Storm Francine
UPDATE #2
September 9, 2024
11:00 a.m.
Port Fourchon is moving to Storm Phase 2, which is Voluntary Evacuation. This means that tropical force winds are expected to be in Port Fourchon within 72 hours.
The Port Commission is keeping an eye on the development of Tropical Storm Francine, which is forecast to make landfall midweek along the coast of Louisiana. The path and impacts of Francine remain uncertain, but the potential for serious weather affecting our area is increasing rapidly. Tropical storm-force winds along with heavy rain and elevated tide levels could impact our area from late Tuesday evening to late Thursday afternoon. We ask that port tenants and users be alert for updates and prepared for things to change or progress quickly.
Please begin securing or moving equipment out of port and determine the intentions and/or special needs of all vessels and personnel at your facilities in the port.
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:
- There is considerable uncertainty in the forecast. Impacts may vary widely depending upon eventual track, strength, size, and speed of movement. Moderate confidence on track and intensity.
- RAINFALL: widespread rainfall totals of 4-8″ are forecast with locally higher amounts, between 7a Tuesday and 7p Friday. Most of this rain will fall between 7a Wednesday and midday Thursday.
- TIDES/STORM SURGE: Minor to moderate coastal flooding will be possible. Some low-lying roads, lots and access routes could be flooded during the time of high tide, with the greatest impacts Wed and Thurs mornings
- WINDS: Gusty to damaging winds will be possible mainly on Wednesday and Wednesday night, with the strength of these winds highly dependent on the eventual track and intensity of the storm.
WARNINGS, WATCHES, & ADVISORIES (Updated today @ 10:28 AM):
- Hurricane Watch in effect for southern Lafourche Parish.
- Storm Surge Watch in effect for southern Lafourche Parish.
EMERGENCY STORM HARBOR MARINA:
GLPC opened the Emergency Storm Harbor Marina at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, September 9, 2024, 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
PROHIBITING UNMANNED VESSELS DURING STORMS:
No vessels shall be left unmanned in Port Fourchon. This includes commercial fishing vessels, houseboats, offshore vessels, and barges.
Visit this link to view GLPC Ordinance No. 71 regarding unmanned vessels in Port Fourchon:
https://portfourchon.com/wp-content/uploads/ordinance71.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.
Storm season lasts from June 1 through November 30 of each year.
The Greater Lafourche Port Commission understands that from the time a hurricane or tropical storm is projected to enter the gulf until facilities in the port are operational again, daily information on weather forecasts, preparation measures, evacuations called, etc. is imperative to businesses operating within and around Port Fourchon.
To keep our tenants and port/airport users informed, the Greater Lafourche Port Commission has instituted numerous ways to get up-to-date storm-related information as it pertains to Port Fourchon and the South Lafourche Airport.
DURING A STORM THREAT:
The Port Commission’s WEATHER & STORM INFO webpage will be updated regularly with current storm information.
If you have signed up to any of our public information or emergency notification lists, messages will be sent regularly with up-to-date information. If you would like to sign up for email notifications from the Port Commission, visit our NOTIFY ME page.
CLICK HERE for a link to the U.S. Coast Guard’s Remaining In-Port Checklist (RIPC) form, which is part of the Coast Guard’s Hurricane Contingency Port Plan, to be completed if your vessel chooses to stay in port during a storm event.
CLICK HERE to see past GLPC storm watch updates and information.
2024 HURRICANE SEASON INFO:
CLICK HERE for a link to the 2024 GLPC Hurricane Readiness Meeting Presentation
CLICK HERE for a link to GLPC’s Storm Phases.
CLICK HERE for a link to GLPC’s Governing Documents webpage, which lists all GLPC ordinances.
- GLPC Ordinance No. 71 – Prohibiting Unmanned Vessels During Storms.
- GLPC Ordinance No. 74 – Storm Harbor Marina Use.
CLICK HERE for a link to the Lafourche Parish Emergency Reentry website.
CLICK HERE for a link to the Lafourche Parish Emergency Reentry procedure outline.
CONTACT INFORMATION UPDATING FORMS:
It is important to make sure the Port Commission has current contact information for all businesses in Port Fourchon and at the South Lafourche Airport. Please use the following forms to update your contact info.
Click NOTIFY ME at the top of this website to sign up for updates, or CLICK HERE for a printable Public Information Update Signup form (for port users and the general public).
CLICK HERE for a Directory Listing Contact Info form (for port/airport tenant companies).
CLICK HERE for an Emergency Notification/FSO Contact Info form (for port/airport facilities’ FSOs only).
CLICK HERE for a Cybersecurity Contact Info form (for port/airport facilities’ CISOs only).
GENERAL WEATHER AND STORM PREP LINKS:
Local Links:
CLICK HERE for Lafourche Parish Government’s Emergency Information webpage, which includes storm recovery information for Lafourche Parish residents.
CLICK HERE to visit the South Lafourche Levee District website for information on South Lafourche levees, floodgates, and locks.
CLICK HERE for NOAA’s Port Fourchon Tide Station # 8762075 data.
CLICK HERE for NOAA’s Port Fourchon PORTS Station.
CLICK HERE for the National Hurricane Center’s 5-Day Tropical Weather Outlook.
CLICK HERE for the LADOTD Severe Weather Watches and Warnings Story Map.
CLICK HERE for NOAA’s Northern Gulf of Mexico Operational Forecast System (NGOFS)
CLICK HERE for US Coast Guard’s Homeport webpage for Port Fourchon, including Port Waterway Status, Safety Alerts, Notices to Mariners, & Marsec Level.
CLICK HERE for US Coast Guard’s general information for mariners.
Statewide Links:
CLICK HERE for the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Preparedness, or call 225-925-7500.
CLICK HERE for Entergy’s website, which includes their “Storm Center” and an interactive map to view power outages in your area, or call 800-ENTERGY or 800-9OUTAGE.
CLICK HERE for Louisiana State Police information on state emergencies, including evacuations and road closures, or call the LSP Road Closure Hotline at 511 or 800-469-4828.
Nationwide Links:
CLICK HERE for the National Hurricane Center website.
CLICK HERE for Inside the Eye, the official blog of the National Hurricane Center
CLICK HERE for the National Weather Prediction Center website.
CLICK HERE for forecast information from the National Weather Service website.
CLICK HERE to see a wind speed and direction map of the United States that allows you to zoom in on specific areas.
CLICK HERE to access post-storm NOAA Emergency Response imagery.
CLICK HERE for FEMA’s emergency preparedness and recovery website.
CLICK HERE for information on FEMA individual federal and state disaster assistance for temporary housing, emergency home repairs, and other disaster-related expenses not covered by insurance, or call 800-621-FEMA.
CLICK HERE to apply for FEMA Disaster Unemployment Assistance, or call 866-783-5567.
CLICK HERE for information on Small Business Administration federal low-interest disaster loans, or call 800-659-2955.
CLICK HERE to visit the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement website for information on Gulf of Mexico energy industry operations during storms.
CLICK HERE for the American Red Cross.
CLICK HERE for the Salvation Army.