Hurricane Idalia – Advisory #3
The latest forecast for Hurricane Idalia from the National Hurricane Center is below. This storm is currently projected to be a major hurricane when it makes landfall.
Colonial Terminals continues to make hurricane preparations. As the US Coast Guard expects to close the port by 20:00 today, no inbound vessels are being received and vessel operations will be discontinued by 18:00 today. Rail and truck operations in Savannah are expected to be impacted by this storm as Colonial Terminal works to ensure the safety of its team members, the protection of its infrastructure, and the ability to quickly and safely return to normal operations. Colonial Terminals will begin evaluating its infrastructure as soon as any danger presented by the storm has passed, and we will update our customers as soon as we have information on our ability to return to normal operations. You will continue to be informed through these advisories that will be issued daily until the threat of Hurricane Idalia passes.
We deeply value our customers and take great pride in the continuity of our service. Colonial Terminals will make every effort to avoid or mitigate any impacts to your operations as long as we can safely do so.
Savannah Terminal Operations
Terminal Operations
No impact at this time, however, you can expect non-essential terminal personnel to be released and normal terminal operations to cease at 12:00 pm on August 30th.
Vessel Operations
During the 2:00 p.m. Hazardous Weather Advisory Group (HWAG) meeting, the U.S. Coast Guard set Port Condition Yankee for the Ports of Savannah and Brunswick. This condition means gale-force winds are expected within 24 hours. Vessels seeking to depart must arrange immediate departure.
The USCG anticipates setting Port Condition Zulu at 8:00 p.m. today. This condition means that gale-force winds are expected within 12 hours and all Port operations are restricted.
Rail Operations
Outbound railcars will be pulled by the railroads this evening. No inbound cars will be delivered.
Bottom-Loading Fuel Shipments
Operations will remain open as long as weather conditions permit. It is anticipated that Wahlstrom Terminal Bottom Loading Operations will be discontinued at 08:00 a.m. on Wednesday, August 30th due to the elevation of the terminal and the expected storm surge.
Truck Operations
Liquid Bulk Truck Operations will be discontinued at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, August 30th.
Dry Bulk Truck Operations will be discontinued at 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 30th.
Wilmington Terminal Operations
Terminal Operations
No impacts at this time, but we anticipate modified terminal operations will be required on Thursday, August 31st.
Vessel Operations
During the 2:00 p.m. Hazardous Weather Advisory Group (HWAG) meeting, the U.S. Coast Guard set Port Condition X-Ray for the Port of Wilmington. This condition means gale-force winds are expected to arrive at the port within 48 hours. The port remains open to all commercial traffic, but oceangoing ships and barges must report their intention to remain in port or depart. The Terminal has no scheduled vessels, so vessel operations are closed until the passing of Hurricane Idalia.
Rail Operations
Rail Operations are normal at this time. WTRY will serve the Terminal tomorrow, but only to pull railcars.
Truck Operations
Truck operations are normal at this time. You can expect the truck racks to be closed prior to 10:00 p.m. August 30th.