Special Marine Warning Issued for Louisiana Coastal Waters and Bays Through Early Sunday

Alert Details

The National Weather Service in Lake Charles has issued a Special Marine Warning for several coastal regions and bays in Louisiana. The alert was issued at 10:50 PM CST on February 14 and is effective until 12:45 AM CST on February 15, 2026.

Affected Areas

The warning covers the following maritime geographic regions:

• Vermilion and West Cote Blanche Bays
• Atchafalaya and East Cote Blanche Bays
• Coastal waters from Intracoastal City to Cameron LA out 20 NM
• Coastal waters from Lower Atchafalaya River to Intracoastal City LA out 20 NM
• Waters from Intracoastal City to Cameron LA from 20 to 60 NM
• Waters from Lower Atchafalaya River to Intracoastal City LA from 20 to 60 NM

Specific locations impacted include Marsh Island, South Marsh Island (blocks 239, 23, 236, 27), Eugene Island (blocks 325, 206, 208, 295, 296, 175, 42, 158, 57, 275, 276), and Vermilion (blocks 215, 214, 31, 171).

What You Should Do

Mariners and residents in the affected areas are advised to avoid these waters. Small craft could be damaged in briefly higher winds and suddenly higher waves. Additionally, a Tornado Watch remains in effect until 2:00 AM CST for south central and southwestern Louisiana, as well as the adjacent coastal waters.

Expected Conditions

According to radar data at 10:50 PM CST, strong thunderstorms were located along a line extending from 20 nm north of Vermilion Bay to near West Cameron Wc284. The storm system is moving southeast at 35 knots.

Primary hazards include:

• Wind gusts of 34 knots or greater
• Suddenly higher waves

Timeline

The Special Marine Warning is effective immediately as of 10:50 PM CST, Saturday, February 14. The alert is expected to expire at 12:45 AM CST on Sunday, February 15.