09-Oct-2018
PORT CONDITION ZULU SET (12 HOUR ALERT)
Tarpon Springs FL, United States
HURRICANE MICHAEL STRENGTHENING AS IT MOVES OVER SE GULF OF MEXICO
Gulf of Mexico, United States
PORT STATUS YANKEE SET
Gulfport, Pascagoula, Mobile, Pensacola, Panama City & Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, United States
PORT STATUS X-RAY SET AHEAD OF HURRICANE MICHAEL
Savannah & Brunswick, United States
Port Condition Zulu set (12 hour alert)
Tuesday, October 9, 2018, Tarpon Springs FL, United States
Due to the possibility of gale force winds (34-43mph) entering the Sector St Petersburg Captain of the Port (COTP) zone within 12 hours, the COTP is ordering Port Condition ZULU for Tarpon Springs, FL north at 0800, October 9, 2018. The ports of Tampa, St Petersburg and Manatee remain at Port Condition IV.
Hurricane Michael currently has maximum sustained winds near 90mph with higher gusts.
PROHIBITED OPERATIONS FOR AREAS UNDER PORT CONDITION ZULU:
* All vessel movement and transit are prohibited
* Cargo operations are prohibited
CURRENT ACTIONS: All oceangoing commercial vessels greater than 500 gross tons must have departed the port and anchorages unless prior arrangements are made to safely moor in port. Proof of facility owner/operator approval to moor at facility is required. All oceangoing commercial vessels greater than 500 gross tons that desire to remain in port must contact the COTP to request permission and provide a heavy-weather plan for safely doing so. The COTP may require additional precautions to ensure the safety of the ports and waterways.
FUTURE ACTIONS: Facilities and vessel operators in the ports of Tampa, St Petersburg and Manatee should be prepared to set Port Condition ZULU if Michael’s track changes. Upon the setting of Port Condiiton ZULU, all vessel movements shall cease and all waterfront operations are prohibited except final storm preparations.
Drawbridges in the area may cease operations as early as eight hours prior to the anticipated arrival of sustained gale force winds or when an evacuation is in progress. During lock-down, the bridge is close, power is turned off, traffic arms may be removed, the control house is secured and the bridge operator is sent to safety.
(For information about operations in the United States contact GAC North America at usa@gac.com)
Source: U.S. Coast Guard, Sector St Petersburg, Port Community Information Bulletin #10-18 issued on 9 October 2018
Hurricane Michael strengthening as it moves over SE Gulf of Mexico
Tuesday, October 9, 2018, Gulf of Mexico, United States
At 700am CDT (1200 UTC), the eye of Hurricane Michael was located near latitude 24.5 North, longitude 86.1 West. Michael is moving toward the north-northwest near 12 mph (19 km/h). A north northwestward to northward motion is expected through tonight, followed by a northeastward motion on Wednesday and Thursday.
On the forecast track, the center of Michael will move across the eastern Gulf of Mexico through tonight. The center of Michael is expected to move inland over the Florida Panhandle or Florida Big Bend area on Wednesday, and then move northeastward across the southeastern United States Wednesday night and Thursday.
Data from a NOAA Hurricane Hunter aircraft indicate that the maximum sustained winds have increased to near 100 mph (155 km/h) with higher gusts. Additional strengthening is expected, and Michael is forecast to be a major hurricane at landfall in Florida. Weakening is expected after landfall as Michael moves through the southeastern United States.
Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 40 miles (65 km) from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 195 miles (315 km). NOAA buoy 42003 recently reported 1-minute mean winds of 47 mph (76 km/h) and a wind gust of 54 mph (87 km/h)…
STORM SURGE: The combination of a dangerous storm surge and the tide will cause normally dry areas near the coast to be flooded by rising waters moving inland from the shoreline. The water has the potential to reach the following heights above ground if peak surge occurs at the time of high tide:
* Indian Pass FL to Cedar Key FL – 8-12ft
* Cedar Key FL to Crystal River FL – 6-8ft
* Okaloosa/Walton County Line FL to Indian Pass FL – 6-9ft
* Crystal River FL to Anclote River FL – 4-6ft
* Anclote River to Anna Maria Island FL including Tampa Bay – 2-4ft
* Alabama/Florida border to Okaloosa/Walton County Line FL – 2-4ft
WIND: Hurricane conditions are expected within the hurricane warning area along the U.S. Gulf Coast by Wednesday, with tropical storm conditions expected by tonight or early Wednesday. Hurricane conditions will also spread well inland across portions of the Florida Panhandle, southeastern Alabama and southwestern Georgia. Tropical storm conditions are expected in the tropical storm warning area by tonight or early Wednesday, and are possible within the tropical storm watch area by that time. Hurricane conditions are possible within the hurricane watch area by Wednesday. Tropical storm conditions are possible in the watch area along the southeast U.S. coast Wednesday night and Thursday.
RAINFALL: Michael is expected to produce the following rainfall amounts through Friday:
* Western Cuba – 4-8 inches, with isolated maximum amounts of 12 inches. This rainfall could lead to life-threatening flash floods and mudslides.
* Florida Panhandle and Big Bend, southeast Alabama, and southern Georgia – 4-8 inches, with isolated maximum amounts of 12 inches. This rainfall could lead to life threatening flash floods.
* Eastern Georgia, the Carolinas, and southern Virginia – 3-6 inches. This rainfall could lead to life-threatening flash floods.
* Florida Peninsula, eastern Mid Atlantic, southern New England coast – 1-3 inches.
SURF: Swells generated by Michael are beginning to affect the coasts of the eastern and northern Gulf of Mexico. These swells will spread to portions of the northwestern and western Gulf of Mexico coast during the next day or so. These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.
TORNADOES: The threat for tornadoes will increase late tonight into Wednesday over parts of the Florida Panhandle, the northern Florida Peninsula, and southern Georgia.
(For information about operations in the United States contact GAC North America at usa@gac.com)
Source: Extracts from National Hurricane Center, Miami FL, Hurricane Michael Intermediate Advisory No.11A issued at 700am CDT on Tue 9 October 2018
Port Status YANKEE set
Tuesday, October 9, 2018, Gulfport, Pascagoula, Mobile, Pensacola, Panama City & Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, United States
Due to the possibility of gale force winds (39-73 mph) associated with Hurricane Michael entering Sector Mobile’s area of responsibility within 24 hours, the Captain of the Port (COTP) is ordering Port Status YANKEE for the Ports of Gulfport, Pascagoula, Mobile, Pensacola, Panama City, and the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway (GICWW).
(For information about operations in the United States contact GAC North America at usa@gac.com)
Source: U.S. Coast Guard, Sector Mobile, Marine Safety Information Bulletin No.23-18 issued at 1800 hours local time on 8 October 2018
Port Status X-RAY set ahead of Hurricane Michael
Tuesday, October 9, 2018, Savannah & Brunswick, United States
At 0900 EST, Port Readiness Condition X-RAY was set for the ports of Savannah and Brunswick due to the potential impact of HURRICANE MICHAEL.
As conditions may change rapidly, you are encouraged to frequently check MSU Savannah’s Homeport website for the most up to date information. The website can be found at: www.homeport.uscg.mil. Under the “Port Directory” menu, select “Savannah”.
(For information about operations in the United States contact GAC North America at usa@gac.com)
Source: U.S. Coast Guard, Savannah, Marine Safety and Security Bulletin No.44-18 issued on 9 October 2018
