Special Marine Warning Issued for Coastal Louisiana Waters Near Port Fourchon and Grand Isle

Alert Details

The National Weather Service in New Orleans LA has issued a Special Marine Warning for coastal waters in the Gulf of Mexico. This alert is classified as a severe threat with immediate urgency, as radar indicates hazardous conditions moving through the region.

Affected Areas

The warning covers the coastal waters from the Southwest Pass of the Mississippi River to Port Fourchon, Louisiana, extending out 20 nautical miles. Specific locations impacted include:

• Barataria Bay
• Grand Isle

What You Should Do

Boaters and individuals near the water should take immediate safety precautions:

• Ensure all persons on board are wearing life jackets.
• Seek shelter or move to a safe harbor immediately until the hazardous weather passes.
• If caught on open water, stay below deck if possible and remain away from ungrounded metal objects to avoid frequent lightning.
• A Tornado Watch also remains in effect for southeastern Louisiana until 2:00 AM CDT.

Expected Conditions

Severe thunderstorms were located along a line extending from near Port Sulphur to near Golden Meadow, moving southeast at 25 knots. Expected hazards include:

• Waterspouts: These can form quickly and capsize boats, damage vessels and oil rigs, and create suddenly higher waves.
• Wind: Gusts up to 40 knots are expected.
• Lightning: Frequent lightning is occurring with these storms.

Timeline

The Special Marine Warning is effective as of 11:59 PM CDT on March 11, 2026. The warning is currently scheduled to expire at 1:00 AM CDT on March 12, 2026.