The Port of Miami will close at 4 p.m. ET today to inbound traffic in advance of the anticipated arrival of Tropical Storm Fay.

The Port of Miami Terminal Operating Co. also asked that all drayage be concluded by 4 p.m.

The Coast Guard Captain of the Port at 11:30 a.m. set Port Hurricane Condition Yankee for the ports of Tampa, St. Petersburg and Manatee. That means gale-force winds of 32-63 mph will threaten the Tampa Bay area within 24 hours.

The Coast Guard in St. Petersburg anticipates setting Port Hurricane Condition Zulu for Florida's Gulf Coast ports on or about 10 p.m. today.

Also, effective 11:30 a.m. today, Hurricane Condition Yankee calling for gale-force winds within 24 hours was set by Coast Sector Miami for the Ports of Miami, Port Everglades, West Palm Beach, Fort Pierce and the Miami River.

Port Everglades notified ships in port that they are expect to depart no later than 5 p.m. today, unless special arrangements are made.

Drawbridges on the Intracoastal Waterway and the Miami River within Miami-Dade County are expected to be locked in the down position by 3 p.m. Monday.

Drawbridges on the ICW and the New River within Broward County are expected to be locked by 4 p.m. Monday. Once a bridge is locked, it will not be opened until bridge crews are able to return after the storm passes.

According to the Coast Guard, port storm preparation calls for all potential flying debris to be removed or secured; and hazardous materials and pollutants secured in a safe manner away from waterfront areas.

Facilities should continue to implement container stacking protocols, and terminal operators should prepare to terminate all cargo operations.
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BDP is in regular contact with its Miami operations center and will issue additional advisories as warranted.