Port outlines hurricane ‘guide’ for tenants

With memories of Hurricane Katrina still fresh in eveyone’s memory, the Greater Lafourche Port Commission outlined its plan to deal with any storm that may pay a call on Port Fourchon this year.

An overflow crowd made up mostly of representatives and employees from companies with operations at the port filled the conference room at the commission’s operations building in Fourchon last Tuesday to hear how port officials expect evacuations and emergency operations to play out.

Port director of security Jon Callais said, “Safety is paramount in this guide. We are always striving for safety when evacuating or upon the return after the storm to assess damage and begin recovery.”

He stressed that the outline should be considered a “guide” and not a “plan” because it must remain flexible and adaptable to change.

Current guidelines call for a voluntary evacuation of the port and its facilities 72 hours before sustained tropical force winds n 39 miles per hour n are measured near Port Fourchon. Notice will be then given to companies at the port to begin securing and moving equipment to a safer shelter.

If tropical storm winds are expected at Port Fourchon within 50 hours, a recommended evacuation will be called at which time all non-essential personnel will be asked to depart. At the 36 hour mark from the onset of tropical storm force winds a mandatory evacuation of the port is expected to be called at which point all remaining personnel will be expected to leave.

Callais noted that should the severity of the storm dictate, everyone n police and first responders included n will move up the highway to the port’s administrative offices in Galliano.

“Should the ‘really big one’ be headed our way, the port has a contingency plan to move operations temporarily to Thibodaux if conditions warrant an evacuation from inside the levee system,” he explained.

Callais also cautioned that evacuations times are dependent on many factors: A storm’s projected path, strength and forward speed.

The evacuation mandate is not issued by the port, he reminded attendees. “The call for evacuation rests with Lafourche Parish President Charlotte Randolph,” he said, adding that she works closely with the port during emergency situations such as an approaching hurricane.

Greater Lafourche Port Commission member Harris “Chuckie” Cheramie Jr. also addressed the audience, encouraging the companies to clear out before the official evacuation call if they are able to. “Don’t wait on us. If you or your company has the ability to leave early, we encourage you to do so,” he said, adding that “once Grand Isle evacuates, the port won’t be far behind.”

Port officials stressed that tenants can keep in touch with conditions at the port via Internet or calling a newly installed public information line that will be updated frequently as weather conditions warrant. E-mails, faxes and text messages will also be sent to lessees and tenants with up-to-date weather information as necessary.