Tag: Hurricane

Colonial Pipeline restores two fuel lines

Colonial Pipeline restores two fuel lines temporarily shut down for Hurricane Ida

WSOC-TV

August 31, 2021, 9:56 am EDT

GREENSBORO, N.C. — Colonial Pipeline said it has restored operations of two fuel lines in the South that were temporarily shut down because of Hurricane Ida.

According to Colonial, crews worked on Monday to restore service to Lines 1 and 2. The two lines — which run from Houston to Greensboro — were proactively shut down as a safety precaution in advance of Hurricane Ida making landfall off the coast of Louisiana.

The lines went into operation before midnight on Monday.

“This quick turnaround was made possible thanks to our employees’ continued dedication to safety and excellence in everything they do,” said Wes Dunbar, vice president of operations for Colonial Pipeline. “We also would not have had the success we are seeing today without the coordination from our local, state and federal partners, and the strong relationships we have built with them up and down the pipeline.”

The shut down of the two lines had many drivers wondering if we’re going to see higher gas prices or even a gas shortage soon.

According to the pipeline, it shut down the fuel lines on Sunday. The company called the temporary move “a precautionary and routine safety measure.”

The company sent Action 9′s Jason Stoogenke a statement, which read “fuel supply continues to be available throughout the Southeast from the numerous terminals located along the supply route.”

Patrick De Haan of GasBuddy said that it’s routine for a gas company to close lines in cases like this. He thinks there may be a bump in prices but not too much.

“This is going to be fairly minor – a few cents a gallon,” he told Stoogenke. “Maybe as much as five or 15 cents. I think in a worst-case scenario, 15 cents. But this is not a Colonial Pipeline outage that’s going to be a long period of time. This is not a Hurricane Harvey. This is not a Hurricane Katrina.”

Stoogenke asked De Haan about gas shortages.

“If everyone can just react accordingly — if you need gas, get it. If you don’t, don’t get it — we will make it through this just fine. But if humans all react by panicking and filling up, then the problem just like April is going to be much worse,” he said.

The 5,500-mile pipeline provides nearly half of the East Coast’s gasoline and diesel. Colonial Pipeline said its other two fuel lines remained operational and will not be impacted by the storm.

This is the same pipeline that was forced to go offline after a ransomware attack in May. That led to panic buying and a gas shortage that stretched across the Southeast.

Jim Miller owns a 1963 Ford Galaxy 500, which consumes a lot of petrol.

“Gas is always going to go up. Guess what? We’re always going to have to just suck it up,” he said. “You have a choice? No. You don’t.”

Motorist Mikki Buff said she usually leaves her muscle car at home to save money normally and especially now.

“I have a little car that runs really good on gas and, then, the Mustang sits,” she said.

Industry assesses Ida impact on chemical production (PM update)

August 30, 2021

Hurricane Ida, which struck southeastern Louisiana at noon Sunday, could have a significant impact on multiple petrochemical products, notably polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), and polyvinyl chloride (PVC). After making landfall near New Orleans with winds up to 150 mph, Ida crept north-northeast across the state, its eye just east of the petrochemical corridor that tracks the Mississippi River. By 4 pm Central time Monday afternoon Ida had weakened to a tropical depression centered near Jackson, Mississippi and heading northeast. Regions further west such as Lake Charles, Louisiana, and Port Arthur, Texas, appear to have escaped any significant impact.

“Regions most affected by the storm included Baton Rouge, Plaquemine, Taft, New Orleans, and regions further east in Louisiana and north to Mississippi,” says Terry Glass, executive director/plastics with IHS Markit. “The full extent of the damage will not be known for several days but plant shutdowns will likely last for several weeks.”

Power outages are the primary concern to the plants as little can be done to determine operational damages until power is restored. Initial reports indicated catastrophic damage to the grid in many regions, including New Orleans. Initial reports indicated power outages throughout the eastern regions of Louisiana and extending as far north as Mississippi. Entergy reported Sunday night that all eight transmission lines that delivered power to New Orleans were out of service, and it will take days to determine the extent of damage to the power grid in metro New Orleans and far longer to restore electrical transmission to the region.

Cracker shutdowns

Chlorine, styrene, propylene, and urethane precursors were reportedly of greatest concern due to the outages as of Monday afternoon. Approximately 19% of the US ethylene capacity was located in the path of this hurricane including ExxonMobil at Baton Rouge, Shell at Norco, Dow at Plaquemine and Taft, Shintech in Plaquemine, and Nova Chemicals at Geismar). About 31% of US chlor-alkali capacity and 41% of US PVC capacity is located in the region directly impacted by Hurricane Ida. There are 18 polyethylene and three polypropylene plants in Louisiana that may have been impacted by the storm which represents 15.6% of US PE capacity and 11% of PP capacity.

Shell had shut down its steam crackers in Norco and Nova Chemicals had shut down its ExxonMobil on Sunday reported that its Baton Rouge facilities were “adjusting operations and shutting down some units and equipment.” Dow on Sunday said it had “safely shut down its manufacturing operations in Louisiana.” Sunday morning, BASF stated that its sites at Geismar, North Geismar, and Vidalia had “begun procedures to idle operations by noon on Sunday.” Southeastern Louisiana is also home to several massive olefin facilities. ExxonMobil produces ethylene, polymer-grade propylene (PGP), PE, and PP at Baton Rouge. Dow produces ethylene, PGP, and PE at its facilities in Hahnville and Plaquemine. Shell’s Norco facility has two large steam crackers producing both ethylene and PGP. Pinnacle Polymers produces PP in Garyville. Nova Chemicals has a large merchant ethylene plant in Geismar. Altogether, about 6.5 million metric tons/year (MMt/y) of ethylene capacity, or 16% of the US total, is in the region. The region is also home to 3.4 MMt/y of PE capacity (15% of the US total), 2.7 MMt/y of PGP capacity (13%), and 0.9 MMt/y of PP capacity (10%). Shell’s Norco facility represents about 8% of US ethylene glycol capacity.

Steam crackers shut down for the storm are likely to be offline for 2–4 weeks.

Chlor-alkali and vinyls impacted

The vinyls chain has a particularly heavy presence in the parts of Louisiana affected by Ida, with about 4.0 MMt/y of vinyl chloride monomer (VCM) capacity in the area, or 40% of the US total, and 3.7 MMt/y of PVC capacity, or 43% of the US total, according to IHS Markit. Formosa Plastics produces VCM and PVC at Baton Rouge; Shintech produces VCM and PVC at Plaquemine, and PVC at Addis; and Westlake Chemical produces PVC and VCM at both Geismar and Plaquemine. Upstream chlor-alkali production in the region represents about 32% of the US total.

The area’s styrene producers—Americas Styrenics at St. James and Cos-Mar at Carville—together have 2.2 MMt/y of capacity, or 44% of the US total. Total Petrochemicals’ 0.6 MMt/y of PS capacity at Carville represents 26% of US capacity.

About 2.8 MMt/y of methanol capacity, or 32% of the US total, is located in the region. Methanex has 2.2 MMt/y of capacity at Geismar, while Koch has about 0.6 MMt/y at St. James.

About 14% of US benzene capacity is in the region, with Dow producing at Plaquemine; ExxonMobil at Baton Rouge; PBF at Chalmette; and Phillips 66 at Belle Chasse.

More than 95% of the Gulf of Mexico’s oil production facilities have been shut down indicating the massive storm is having a significant impact on refineries, particularly in the New Orleans area including PBF, Phillips, Shell, Marathon and two Valero refineries. This accounts for about 1.7 million barrels per day of refinery capacity, representing 9% of the nation’s total.

GOHSEP daily update August 27, 2021

Click to view report:

210827-SITREP

Back to the Tropics

As we say goodbye to Fred, we turn our attention to Grace.  Grace appears to be taking a southern track across the Gulf of Mexico, across the Yucatan pennisula, and finally making landfall in Mexico or the extreme southern part of Texas.  Grace will make no impact on Louisiana, according to official NHC forecasts.  Henri developed in the last 24 hours and will be touring the Island of Bermuda over the next 48 hours, no affects to Louisiana forecasted.  There is a wave coming off the western coast of Africa, but there is no development forecasted over the next 48 hours.  Stay safe and stay tuned.

FRED and GRACE part two…

FRED and GRACE part two…

Fred appears to have lost his way and his course is now sliding to the west.  Fred’s visit to Caribbean island had a sever impact on his health, resulting in a more westerly circulation forming coming out of the Florida straight.  Current National Hurricane Center forecasts have Fred strengthening back to tropical storm status and making landfall along the Alabama coast near Grand Bay.  Louisiana now is in the cone of uncertainty as Fred will likely rain and tropical storm force winds to the extreme southeastern coast of Louisiana as early as Monday morning, with landfall sometime Monday evening or early Tuesday morning.  Please monitor your local officials for guidance as Fred approaches the area.

cone graphic

Grace has now reached Tropical Storm status and is currently in the vicinity of the Leeward Islands.  The current forecast track brings Grace in contact with Hispaniola by Monday morning.  The mountainous terrain there should have a negative effect on further development through Tuesday.  Grace’s forecast has her travel along the entire length of Cuban and entering the Gulf as a tropical storm by Thursday morning.  If Grace remains on current tract, Louisiana is likely to be in the forecasted cone.

cone graphic

As always, whether we are talking about Fred, Grace or any future storm, please listen to your local emergency officials for guidance.

Fred and Grace?

I thought it was Fred and Wilma not Fred and Grace, but the 2021 hurricane season brings us this unlikely couple.

Fred continues across the northern Caribbean.  The interaction with mountainous regions of the Dominican Republic and Haiti have reduced Fred’s ability to strengthen.  The current forecast take Fred through the Florida straight Saturday morning and making landfall as strong tropical storm or minimal hurricane.  Effects to Louisiana remain minimal with the current forecast.

Potential Tropical storm 7, to be named Grace if she reaches that level remains far out in the Atlantic. Current forecasts show that “Grace” has a 60% chance of reaching Tropical Storm status in the next 5 days.  Potential storm track at this point, appears similar to Fred’s track.  Stay tuned to your local emergency management personnel for official guidance.

Official forecasts taken from the National Hurricane Center and are available at this link, NHC

 

Fred makes an appearance

Overnight, Tropical Storm Fred makes his debut.  Fred currently has 40 mph winds and is traveling west northwest at 16 mph.  His current path takes him north of the Caribbean islands and into the Florida straight by Saturday morning.  If current forecasts remain accurate, then Fred will make landfall near Apalachicola Florida early in the morning of Monday August 16, 2021.  The 0800 projected storm path is below.  Please stay tuned to local emergency officials for any changes to the forecast.

cone graphic

Tropics are heating up

Two disturbances in the Atlantic have potential for further development over the next 5-days.  While there is no immediate threat to Louisiana, the potential is there in the next 7-10 days.  Everyone should remain vigilant and listen to guidance provide by your local emergency officials.

 

Atlantic hurricane season shows no signs of slowing

NOAA GOES-East satellite image of Hurricane Elsa as it moves up Florida’s west coast on July 6, 2021.
NOAA GOES-East satellite image of Hurricane Elsa as it moves up Florida’s west coast on July 6, 2021. (NOAA)

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The 2021 Atlantic hurricane season is well underway, and atmospheric and oceanic conditions remain conducive for an above-average hurricane season, according to the annual mid-season update issued by NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center, a division of the National Weather Service.

The latest outlook reflects that the number of expected named storms (winds of 39 mph or greater) is 15-21, including 7-10 hurricanes (winds of 74 mph or greater), of which 3-5 could become major hurricanes (Category 3, 4, or 5 with winds 111 mph or greater). This updated outlook includes the 5 named storms that have formed so far, with Hurricane Elsa becoming the earliest 5th named storm on record.

The updated 2021 Atlantic hurricane season probability and numbers of named storms.
The updated 2021 Atlantic hurricane season probability and numbers of named storms. (NOAA)

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“After a record-setting start, the 2021 Atlantic hurricane season does not show any signs of relenting as it enters the peak months ahead,” said Rick Spinrad, Ph.D., NOAA administrator. “NOAA will continue to provide the science and services that are foundational to keeping communities prepared for any threatening storm.”

NOAA scientists predict that the likelihood of an above-normal 2021 Atlantic hurricane season is 65%. There is a 25% chance of a near-normal season and a 10% chance of a below-normal season.

“A mix of competing oceanic and atmospheric conditions generally favor above-average activity for the remainder of the Atlantic hurricane season, including the potential return of La Nina in the months ahead,” said Matthew Rosencrans, lead seasonal hurricane forecaster at NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center.

Atlantic sea surface temperatures are not expected to be as warm as they were during the record-breaking 2020 season; however, reduced vertical wind shear and an enhanced west Africa monsoon all contribute to the current conditions that can increase seasonal hurricane activity. These conditions are set against the backdrop of the ongoing warm phase of the Atlantic Multi-Decadal Oscillation, which has been favoring more active hurricane seasons since 1995.

The 2021 Atlantic tropical cyclone names selected by the World Meteorological Organization.
The 2021 Atlantic tropical cyclone names selected by the World Meteorological Organization. (NOAA)

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“Now is the time for families and communities to ensure their preparations are in place,” said National Weather Service Director Louis W. Uccellini, Ph.D. “These storms can be devastating, so be prepared for all possible outcomes by staying tuned to the forecast and following safety information and possible evacuation notifications issued by emergency officials.”

NOAA’s update to the 2021 outlook covers the entire six-month hurricane season, which ends Nov. 30. Throughout the hurricane season, NOAA’s National Hurricane Center (NHC) provides the hurricane track and intensity forecasts that emergency managers and communities rely on across areas at risk during a landfalling storm. NHC is the source for all watches and warnings for tropical storms, hurricanes, and related storm surge. The seasonal outlook from NOAA is not a landfall forecast as landfalls are typically only predictable within about a week of a storm potentially reaching a coastline.

Learn more about NOAA’s comprehensive expertise across all aspects of hurricane science and forecasting with our Hurricane Resource Guide on NOAA.gov. Visit FEMA’s Ready.gov for the latest information about hurricane preparedness and evacuation safety.

Media Contact

Lauren Gaches, Lauren.Gaches@noaa.gov, 202-740-8314

Originally posted on www.noaa.gov

One Week Remains for Homeowners, Renters and Businesses to Apply for Federal Disaster Assistance

Release Date:
July 26, 2021

Just one week remains for Louisiana homeowners, renters or business owners in Ascension, Calcasieu, East Baton Rouge, Iberville and Lafayette parishes to apply for federal disaster assistance because of property damage or other eligible losses in May due to severe storms, tornadoes and flooding.

The deadline to apply for assistance from FEMA and to apply for low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is Monday, Aug. 2.

You should apply even if you have insurance. FEMA cannot duplicate insurance payments, but eligible homeowners and renters may be able to receive a grant from FEMA for losses not covered by insurance. FEMA grants can help pay for basic home repairs, temporary rental assistance and other needs such as replacing personal property. Disaster Assistance grants from FEMA’s Individual and Households Program do not have to be repaid.

You can apply in one of the following ways:

  • Online at DisasterAssistance.gov.
  • Call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 (TTY) 800-462-7585.
  • Download the FEMA Mobile App.

After applying, you may wish to visit the in-person, state-run Recovery Service Center (RSC) in Lake Charles. Experts there are assisting those affected by hurricanes Laura and Delta, the 2021 winter storms and May severe storms, tornadoes and flooding in Southwest Louisiana.

The RSC is located at Washington-Marion Magnet High School, 2802 Pineview St., Lake Charles and will remain open through July 30. Hours are Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

FEMA and State specialists at the RSC can help survivors with appeals, answer questions about eligibility requirements, provide guidance on FEMA programs, refer individuals to other recovery resources, plus upload survivor documents that need to be added to their FEMA case.

 

For additional assistance, the SBA has established a Virtual Disaster Loan Outreach Center that is open Monday – Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. CT. You can contact an SBA customer service representative via email at FOCWAssistance@sba.gov or by phone at 800-659-2955. SBA will answer specific questions about how a disaster loan may help each survivor with their disaster recovery and will provide one-on-one assistance in completing applications for these loans. You can apply online at https://disasterloanassistance.sba.gov.

For the latest information on severe storms, tornadoes and flooding visit fema.gov/disaster/4606. Follow the FEMA Region 6 Twitter account at twitter.com/FEMARegion6.

Invest 90L

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Tropical Weather Outlook
NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL
800 PM EDT Sat Jul 24 2021

For the North Atlantic...Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico:

1. Earlier this afternoon and evening, an Air Force Reserve Hurricane 
Hunter aircraft investigated the low pressure system off the east 
coast of Florida and found a well-defined center of circulation 
about 185 miles east of Cape Canaveral.  However, the system still 
lacks organized shower and thunderstorm activity near its center 
and therefore has not met the criteria to be designated as a 
tropical depression.  Environmental conditions are expected to 
remain marginally conducive for additional development, and a 
tropical depression could still form overnight or on Sunday while 
the low moves generally westward at 5 to 10 mph toward the east 
coast of Florida.  Interests in Florida should continue to monitor 
the progress of this system.  Another Hurricane Hunter aircraft is 
scheduled to investigate the system Sunday morning, if necessary.
* Formation chance through 48 hours...medium...50 percent.
* Formation chance through 5 days...medium...50 percent.

Facebook Live Event – Hurricane Preparedness Q & A – July 14

Hurricane Preparedness Q & A
Wednesday, July 14 @ 2:00 pm CDT

With peak hurricane season just around the corner, now is the time to start preparing your business for severe weather. Hurricane preparedness experts from Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety and Insurance Information Institute will join us for a discussion about how to get your business ready before storms strike and provide important #HurricanePrep tips. Watch on our Facebook page Wednesday, July 14 at 2 pm CDT.

Find more preparedness resources:
https://ibhs.org
https://www.iii.org
https://lnkd.in/ek37d-C

FEMA Advisory – Prepare Now for Hurricane Season

No matter what the hurricane season outlook predicts, it’s important to remember that it only takes one storm to devastate a community. Now is the time to prepare your home and your family.  Remember, hurricanes are not just a coastal problem, so it’s important to know the risks where you live: rain, wind and flooding could happen far from the coast.

“FEMA’s mission to help people before, during and after disasters has never been more critical, given our shared experience during this pandemic,” said FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell. “Even if you’re experiencing disaster fatigue due to your experience with the COVID-19 pandemic, we all must use the lessons learned from it to prepare for potential disasters on the horizon.”

Although FEMA has had a very busy year supporting President Biden’s COVID-19 vaccination mission and other disasters, the agency is ready to handle future disasters.

“More than 20,000 FEMA employees across the nation stand ready to support our state, local, tribal and territorial partners in hurricane prone areas to provide any help they may need to protect lives and property,” said Administrator Criswell. “The best way to help your community recover from a disaster is by taking steps now to prepare yourself and your family BEFORE a disaster strikes. Visit Ready.gov to start your planning today.”

Consider these actions to start your preparedness today: 

  • In addition to being prepared for a disaster, ensuring that you and your family are vaccinated against COVID-19 helps your entire community be more resilient before future disasters. COVID-19 vaccines are effective at preventing COVID-19 disease, especially severe illness and death. Vaccines also reduce the risk of people spreading COVID-19, making all our communities safer.
  • Everyone can take steps to make sure they’re prepared for any disaster. Visit Ready.gov to learn about how to prepare for disasters that might happen where you live, work or visit.
  • You can also download the free FEMA App to receive weather alerts and warnings for up to five different locations in the United States.

This week, Administrator Criswell spent time with officials in both Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands to discuss recovery projects and preparedness efforts for the Caribbean Area Office ahead of hurricane season.

While in Puerto Rico, she toured FEMA’s Caribbean warehouse and distribution center in Caguas, visited the Susana Centeno Community Health Center in Vieques and met with Gov. Pedro Pierluisi, Resident Commissioner Jenniffer González Colón and Speaker of the House Rafael “Tatito” Hernández. While in the U.S. Virgin Islands, she met with Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. and Congresswoman Stacey Plaskett and toured the Juan F. Luiz Hospital on St. Croix.

Contact Us

If you have any questions, please contact FEMA Office of External Affairs: