Coast Guard prepares for Tropical Storm Michael

News Release

U.S. Coast Guard 8th District Heartland Contact: 8th District Public Affairs Office: (504) 671-2020 After Hours: (618) 225-9008 Eighth District online newsroom

Coast Guard prepares for Tropical Storm Michael

NEW ORLEANS - The Coast Guard has begun securing its area of responsibility along the Gulf Coast as the threat of Tropical Storm Michael continues to move north, Sunday.

The Coast Guard urges all mariners to continuously monitor local and national weather sources and avoid coastal areas that may be impacted by the storm.

Owners of large boats are urged to move their vessels to inland marinas where they will be less vulnerable to breaking free of their moorings or sustaining damage.

Trailer-able boats should be pulled from the water, tied securely to trailers and stored in places not prone to flooding.

Those who are leaving their boats in the water are reminded to update their Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon registration, and secure EPIRBs safely to vessels prior to a major storm. These devices often float free from vessels in marinas or at docks during hurricanes and signal a distress when there is none.

For updates on port statuses, follow the Coast Guard Heartland Twitter account at @USCGHeartland.

-USCG-