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UPDATED 1 P.M.: Tropical Storm Nicholas approaches Texas

Sun, 09/12/2021 - 11:42am

Tropical Storm Nicholas Intermediate Advisory Number 6A
NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL AL142021
100 PM CDT Mon Sep 13 2021

...NICHOLAS MOVING ERRATICALLY NORTHWARD JUST OFFSHORE THE
SOUTHERN COAST OF TEXAS...
...FLASH FLOODING, DANGEROUS STORM SURGE, AND GUSTY WINDS EXPECTED
ALONG PORTIONS OF THE SOUTHERN AND MIDDLE TEXAS COASTS TODAY...

SUMMARY OF 100 PM CDT...1800 UTC...INFORMATION
----------------------------------------------
LOCATION...26.9N 96.5W
ABOUT 70 MI...115 KM SSE OF PORT ARANSAS TEXAS
ABOUT 105 MI...165 KM S OF PORT OCONNOR TEXAS
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...60 MPH...95 KM/H
PRESENT MOVEMENT...N OR 10 DEGREES AT 12 MPH...19 KM/H
MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...1002 MB...29.59 INCHES

WATCHES AND WARNINGS
--------------------
CHANGES WITH THIS ADVISORY:

None.

SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT:

A Storm Surge Warning is in effect for...
* Port Aransas Texas to Sabine Pass
* Galveston Bay, Aransas Bay, San Antonio Bay, and Matagorda Bay

A Hurricane Watch is in effect for...
* Port Aransas to San Luis Pass Texas

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for...
* Mouth of the Rio Grande to Sabine Pass

A Storm Surge Watch is in effect for...
* Baffin Bay to Port Aransas Texas
* Sabine Pass to Rutherford Beach Louisiana
* Corpus Christi Bay

A Storm Surge Warning means there is a danger of life-threatening
inundation, from rising water moving inland from the coastline,
during the next 36 hours 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 Tropical Storm Warning means that tropical storm conditions are
expected somewhere within the warning area.

A Storm Surge Watch means there is a possibility of life-threatening
inundation, from rising water moving inland from the coastline, in
the indicated locations during the next 48 hours. For a depiction of
areas at risk, please see the National Weather Service Storm Surge
Watch/Warning Graphic, available at hurricanes.gov.

A Hurricane Watch means that hurricane conditions are possible
within the watch area.

Interests elsewhere in southwestern Louisiana should monitor the
progress of Nicholas.

For storm information specific to your area in the United
States, including possible inland watches and warnings, please
monitor products issued by your local National Weather Service
forecast office. For storm information specific to your area
outside of the United States, please monitor products issued by
your national meteorological service.

DISCUSSION AND OUTLOOK
----------------------
At 100 PM CDT (1800 UTC), the center of Tropical Storm Nicholas was
located by NOAA Doppler weather radars near latitude 26.9 North,
longitude 96.5 West. Nicholas is moving toward the north near 12 mph
(19 km/h) and this general motion is expected to continue through
tonight, followed by a turn toward the north-northeast on Tuesday.
On the forecast track, the center of Nicholas will continue to pass
just offshore of the coast of south Texas this afternoon and move
onshore along the coast of central Texas later this evening.

Data from an Air Force Reserve reconnaissance aircraft and NOAA
Doppler weather radars indicate that maximum sustained winds remain
near 60 mph (95 km/h) with higher gusts. Strengthening is forecast
this afternoon and evening, and Nicholas could be near hurricane
strength when it reaches the northwest Gulf coast. Weakening is
anticipated on Tuesday and Wednesday while Nicholas moves over land.

Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 115 miles (185 km)
from the center. During the past few hours, NOAA buoy 42020
located southeast of Corpus Christi, Texas, reported a sustained
wind of 49 mph (80 km/h) and a gust to 56 mph (91 km/h).

The estimated minimum central pressure is 1002 mb (29.59 inches).

HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND
----------------------
Key messages for Nicholas can be found in the Tropical Cyclone
Discussion under AWIPS header MIATCDAT4, WMO header WTNT44 KNHC
and on the web at hurricanes.gov/graphics_at4.shtml?key_messages

RAINFALL: Nicholas is expected to produce storm total rainfall of
8 to 16 inches, with isolated maximum amounts of 20 inches, across
portions of the middle and upper Texas coastal areas through the
middle of the week. Life-threatening, flash and urban flooding
impacts are possible, especially across portions of the upper Texas
Gulf Coast near Lake Jackson and Freeport, TX

Across the rest of southeast Texas into southwest Louisiana rainfall
of 5 to 10 inches is expected. This rainfall may produce areas of
considerable flash and urban flooding, especially in highly
urbanized metropolitan areas. Additionally, there is the potential
for isolated minor to moderate river flooding.

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 could
reach the following heights above ground somewhere in the indicated
areas if the peak surge occurs at the time of high tide...

Port O'Connor to San Luis Pass TX including Matagorda Bay...3-5 ft
San Luis Pass, TX to Rutherford Beach, LA including Galveston
Bay...2-4 ft
Baffin Bay to Port O'Connor, TX...2-4 ft
Corpus Christi Bay, Aransas Bay and San Antonio Bay...2-4 ft
Mouth of the Rio Grande to Baffin Bay...1-3 ft
Rutherford Beach, LA to Intracoastal City, LA...1-3 ft
Sabine Lake and Calcasieu Lake...1-3 ft

The deepest water will occur along the immediate coast in areas
of onshore winds, where the surge will be accompanied by large and
dangerous waves. Surge-related flooding depends on the relative
timing of the surge and the tidal cycle, and can vary greatly over
short distances. For information specific to your area, please see
products issued by your local National Weather Service forecast
office.

WIND: Tropical storm conditions are expected within the warning
area in southern Texas through the next few hours. These conditions
will spread northward within the warning area through tonight,
making outside preparations difficult or dangerous. Hurricane
conditions are possible in the Hurricane Watch area as early as this
afternoon or this evening.

TORNADOES: A couple of tornadoes are possible this afternoon and
tonight across the middle and upper Texas coast.

SURF: Swells generated by Nicholas will continue affecting
portions of the northwest Gulf coast through Tuesday. These swells
are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current
conditions. Please consult products from your local weather office.

Storm could bring heavy rain to St. Mary next week

Sat, 09/11/2021 - 6:57pm

A tropical system with the potential for development is heading for the area near the Texas-Louisiana border, and has the potential to bring heavy rain to east St. Mary. On Saturday, 4-6 inches were predicted next week for the Morgan City area.

From Roger Erickson of the National Weather Service in Lake Charles:

The National Hurricane Center has a high 90% chance for tropical development for the system in the Bay of Campeche.

A tropical depression or tropical storm is expected to form Sunday or Monday, and track north along the Mexico and Texas coast.

If it stays out over the water beyond Monday, it has the potential to be a Category 1 hurricane before it reaches southeast Texas or southwest Louisiana.

Regardless of if it becomes a tropical storm or hurricane, we are forecasting a significant amount of rain for southeast Texas and southwest Louisiana. Five to ten inches of rain is expected, with locally higher amounts of 15 to 20 inches possible. Expect to see street flooding during periods of heavy rain Monday and Tuesday, and potentially water entering homes and businesses.

With tides expected to be one to two feet above normal Monday and Tuesday, water will have a more difficult time to drain as well. Minor coastal flooding can be expected during high tides Monday and Tuesday.

Finally, winds will be gusty Monday and Tuesday in southeast Texas and southwest Louisiana. Gusts of 25 to 35 mph could blow down some tree branches and cause a few power outages.

There are other tropical systems trying to develop in the Atlantic. None of these will threaten us over the next week.

First responders mark 9/11 anniversary

Sat, 09/11/2021 - 8:37am

Members of police and fire agencies across east St. Mary gathered Saturday morning to observe the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. Members of the St. Mary Parish Sheriff's Office, Acadian Ambulance and AMR were on hand along with police officers and firefighters from Amelia, Patterson, Morgan City, Bayou Vista and host Berwick. Top Photo: Firetrucks from Amelia and Bayou Vista hoist a large American flag over the area in front of the Berwick lighthouse. Bottom Photo: Members of the Berwick High School Band's trumpet line played the national anthem and then, after a moment at the time the first tower was struck at the World Trade Center, played taps.

The Daily Review/Bill Decker

OPH: 58 new COVID cases, one death in St. Mary in two days

Fri, 09/10/2021 - 12:30pm

The Louisiana Office of Public Health reported 58 new COVID-19 cases and another fatality in St. Mary Parish in the 48 hours ending at midday Friday.

The number of deaths is likely to go up by at least two more. St. Mary Parish Coroner Dr. Eric Melancon told reporters by text Thursday that the parish has had nine COVID-related fatalities in September, two more than have shown up in the daily OPH reports. Melancon has often reported deaths in St. Mary before the statistics have been entered in the state database.

The two additional deaths reported by the coroner would bring the total number of St. Mary fatalities to 197. Fifty parish residents died of COVID in 40 days since Aug. 1.
.
The parish had 32 fatalities January through July and 41 in August alone, Melancon said.

The 58 new COVID cases raise the pandemic case count to 8,071.

Statewide, 2,173 new COVID cases and 64 deaths were reported for the 24 hours ending at midday Friday.

The number of people in Louisiana hospitals for COVID treatment continues to drop. The OPH said 1,755 people were hospitalized with the coronavirus Friday, down 140 from Wednesday.

Remembering 9/11

Fri, 09/10/2021 - 11:29am

Diane Miller Fears and Connie Grimball Thomas took these photos on a recent trip to the Ground Zero site in New York.

9/11 anniversary ceremony in Berwick

Fri, 09/10/2021 - 11:16am

The event will be at 7:30 a.m. Saturday at the Berwick Lighthouse.

ERROL JAMES TABOR

Fri, 09/10/2021 - 11:13am

September 8, 1952 — August 29, 2021
Errol James Tabor of Amelia, LA, passed away in the early hours of August 29, 2021 while “evacu-camping” at Toledo Bend for Hurricane Ida. Born September 8, 1952, he’d have been 69 this month.
A lifelong resident of Amelia, Errol was a “Beouf Cat” through and through. He helped his father run, and then later owned, Pistol’s Grocery in Amelia. He served on numerous boards to serve and protect the community he loved through his life. He loved to hunt, fish, and had a green thumb like no other.
Errol was absolutely fierce about family, especially his grandchildren. With Alexis, Michael and Molly, he proved that even the most hard-headed men could have huge soft spots. In addition to those loves, he is also survived by his wife of nearly 50 years, Deborah; their daughter, Allison and her husband, Alan Kornacki; and his sister, Erica, with husband Brett Duplantis and children Braelyn, Carson, and Colton, aka “Lil Brett”. He is also survived by his “bonus wife” - sister-in-law Freddie Cross Cutrera, her daughter Karmen and her husband Aaron Loupe, and their children Ofelia and Crosby, all of whom he loved like his own.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Wilbur “Pistol” Tabor and Eva Dell Tabor; his sister, Diane; and cousins, Carroll and Gerald Blanchard who were like brothers to him.
He was an active member of Pharr Chapel Methodist in Morgan City, LA. As a baptized child of Christ, Errol is no longer here, but his body will be cremated and laid to rest in the St. Andrew Catholic Cemetery in Amelia. There will be a memorial service announced at a later date, due to Ida and Covid.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial donations be made to his two church homes, Pharr Chapel Methodist, 517 Federal Ave., Morgan City, LA 70380 and St. Peter Lutheran Church, PO Box 69, Campbell Hill, IL, 62916.

Agencies report domestic abuse arrests

Fri, 09/10/2021 - 11:11am

Staff Report

(Editor’s note: The charges listed here and the narratives that go with them are provided by the police agencies that made the arrests. Guilt or innocence has not been determined in court.)

The St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office reported arrests on battery and marijuana possession charges.
St. Mary
Sheriff Blaise Smith advised that over a 24-hour reporting period, the Sheriff’s Office responded to 49 complaints and reported the following arrests:
—Kimberly Marie Jones, 31, Morgan City, was arrested at 3:01 p.m. Tuesday on a charge of aggravated battery of a dating partner-child endangerment law and on a warrant for failure to appear on the charges of possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of alcoholic bever-ages in motor vehicle.
No bail has been set.
—Corey David Delatte, 29, Morgan City, was arrested at 8:40 a.m. Wednesday on charges of disturbance and unauthorized entry of a dwelling. No bail has been set.
—Danielle B. Billiot, 29, Franklin, was arrested at 10:11 a.m. Wednesday on a warrant alleging failure to appear. Billiot was released on a summons to appear Dec. 1.
—Darian Dwayne Dwyer, 25, Charenton, was arrested at 4:01 p.m. Wednesday on charges of improper lane usage, driving under suspension, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Dwyer was released on a summons to appear Dec. 1.
Assumption
Sheriff Leland Falcon reported this arrest:
—Kelton J. Smith, 24, Murial Street, Bayou L’Ourse, was arrested Wednesday on charges of domestic abuse battery (aggravated assault) and two counts of theft, and on a hold as a fugitive from the Morgan City Police Department and a probation and parole detainer.
The felony domestic abuse charges arose for an April 19 incident on Elaine Street.
On April 19, a deputy responded to the Elaine Street address and made contact with the victim as well as a witness.
During those interviews, the deputy was able to establish that a domestic incident occurred at which time the suspect, now identified as Smith, had struck the victim with a piece of pipe, struck and slapped her multiple times.
Extended investigation revealed that an incident had occurred in Morgan City on or about April 8, also of a domestic nature.
At the conclusion of the investigation, the investigating deputy filed for and was granted arrest warrants for Smith.
On June 11, Smith was arrested by St. Mary Parish deputies on local charges.
On Wednesday, Smith was transported to the Assumption Parish Detention Center pending a bond hearing.

Around Town for Sept. 10

Fri, 09/10/2021 - 11:07am

Happy birthday Saturday to Martha Ann Franklin from family, friends and Ira.

Wheel House for Sept. 10

Fri, 09/10/2021 - 11:05am

SENIOR DINNER
St. Mary Community Action Agency and St. Mary Parish Government Senior Feeding 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 14. Dinners distributed at St. Mary Senior Citizens Center, Chennault Street, Morgan City. Drive-thru meals only. Meals for seniors 60 and older.