August 26, 2020
Gulf Coast refineries listed below have all taken their respective plants down to secure them ahead of the landfall of Hurricane Laura. The storm has remained on track to make landfall near the Texas/Louisiana border but strengthened overnight to a Category 3 storm with 115 mph wind speed. More concerning is the potential for storm surge levels over 12 feet in many locations with NHC estimates of up to 15 feet depending on the timing of landfall with the tides.
Terminals in the coastal areas are announcing closures as soon as noon today. While Scott Fisher is not working inside of the State Operations Center during this storm cycle, he has immediate access to assistance and information. If you need assistance, please don’t hesitate to reach out to TFFA for help.
Gulf Refinery Shutdowns
- ExxonMobil 384,400 BPD Beaumont, TX - Shutdown
- Total 225,000 BPD Port Arthur, TX - Shutdown
- Citgo 425,000 BPD Lake Charles, LA - Shutdown
- Valero 415,000 BPD Port Arthur, TX - Shutdown
- Phillips66 275,000 BPD Lake Charles, LA - Shutdown
- ExxonMobil 560,000 BPD Baytown, TX - Partial Shutdown
- Motiva 607,000 BPD Port Arthur, TX - Shutdown
- Chevron 115,000 BPD Pasadena, TX / 56,000 BPD cat cracker - Shutdown
- Marathon 616,000 BPD Texas City, TX - Partial Shutdown
FROM THE NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER
UPDATED: 7 AM CDT
Hurricane Laura strengthens into a major hurricane.
Potentially catastrophic storm surge, extreme winds, and flash flooding expected along the Northwest Gulf Coast tonight.
Steps to protect life and property should be rushed to completion in the next few hours.
The National Hurricane Center is issuing advisories on Hurricane Laura. The center of the hurricane was located near latitude 26.4 North, longitude 91.4 West. The depression is moving toward the northwest near 15 mph (22 km/h). A slower northwestward motion is expected over the next couple of days, followed by an increase in speed by Sunday and Monday.
Maximum sustained winds are near 115 mph (185 km/h) with higher gusts.
SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT:
A STORM SURGE WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR:
- FREEPORT TEXAS TO THE MOUTH OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER
A HURRICANE WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR:
- SAN LUIS PASS TEXAS TO INTRACOASTAL CITY LOUISIANA
A TROPICAL STORM WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR:
- SARGENT TEXAS TO SAN LUIS PASS
- EAST OF INTRACOASTAL CITY LOUISIANA TO THE MOUTH OF THE
- MISSISSIPPI RIVER
A STORM SURGE WATCH IS IN EFFECT FOR:
- MOUTH OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER TO OCEAN SPRINGS MISSISSIPPI
- LAKE PONTCHARTRAIN, LAKE MAUREPAS, AND LAKE BORGNE
A HURRICANE WATCH IS IN EFFECT FOR:
- EAST OF INTRACOASTAL CITY TO WEST OF MORGAN CITY LOUISIANA
A Storm Surge Warning means there is a danger of life-threatening inundation, from rising water moving inland from the coastline in the indicated locations. for a depiction of areas at risk, please see the national weather service storm surge watch/warning graphic, available at hurricanes.gov. This is a life-threatening situation. Persons located within these areas should take all necessary actions to protect life and property from rising water and the potential for other dangerous conditions. Promptly follow evacuation and other instructions from local officials.
A Hurricane Warning means that hurricane conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area. Preparations to protect life and property should be rushed to completion.
A Tropical Storm Watch means that tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area, generally within 48 hours.
A Hurricane Watch means that hurricane conditions are possible within the watch area. A watch is typically issued 48 hours before the anticipated first occurrence of tropical-storm-force winds, conditions that make outside preparations difficult or dangerous.
A Tropical Storm Warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area, generally within 36 hours.
For storm information specific to your area, including possible inland watches and warnings, please monitor products issued by your local National Weather Service forecast office.
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