Port Fourchon moves to Phase 4: Mandatory Evacuation

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Lafourche Parish officials have issued a mandatory evacuation for 6:00 p.m. today, Thursday, October 8, 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 p.m. tonight.

Hurricane Delta continues to move through the central Gulf toward a potential southwest Louisiana landfall tomorrow as a strong Category 2+ storm.

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 significant impacts from water and wind. The Port Fourchon area is under both Tropical Storm Warning and Storm Surge Warning. Coastal flooding, heavy rain, and strong/damaging wind chances are all expected to increase overnight and into tomorrow.

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, 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 be alert for closure notices as night falls and storm waters rise enough to potentially 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 to aid in evacuation travels.

A checkpoint manned by Port Fourchon Harbor Police will be in place by 6:00 p.m. at GLPC’s Fourchon Operations Center on LA 3090 to monitor traffic in and out of the port and maintain safety during mandatory evacuation.

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 for closure notices as night falls and storm waters rise. 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 @ 10:00 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.