Hurricane Sally Update – Sept. 14, 2300z

Updated Sept. 14, 2020 – 2300

• Overview
• Update from the National Hurricane Center
• Airport & Equipment Information
• Route Information
• Operational Resources
• NBAA’s HERO Database

Overview

Sally became a hurricane just after noon today and continues to move slowly to the northwest. The National Hurricane Center notes the following:

“Given the uncertainty in the timing and location of the northward turn and the lack of well-defined steering currents, users are reminded to not focus on the exact forecast track or the specific timing and location of landfall. Hurricane-force winds, dangerous storm surge, and flooding rainfall will affect a large portion of the north-central Gulf Coast during the next few days.”

There have been numerous airport closures added to the FAA OIS page tonight, but NBAA Air Traffic Services reminds operators that this the complete list.

Update from the National Hurricane Center

According to the National Hurricane Center’s Advisory #14, issued at 2100z:

At 400 PM CDT (2100 UTC), the center of Hurricane Sally was located near latitude 28.8 North, longitude 87.4 West. Sally is moving toward the west-northwest near 6 mph (9 km/h), and this motion is expected to continue through tonight. A northward turn is expected by Tuesday, and a slow north-northeastward to northeastward motion is expected Tuesday night through Wednesday night. On the forecast track, the center of Sally will move near the coast of southeastern Louisiana tonight and Tuesday, and make landfall in the hurricane warning area on late Tuesday or Wednesday.

Data from reconnaissance aircraft indicate that the maximum sustained winds have increased to near 100 mph (155 km/h) with higher gusts. Additional strengthening is forecast tonight and early Tuesday and Sally is expected to be a dangerous hurricane when it moves onshore along the north-central Gulf coast.

Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 25 miles (35 km) from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 125 miles (205 km).

The latest minimum central pressure estimated from data from an Air Force Reserve reconnaissance aircraft is 987 mb (29.15 inches).

Airport & Equipment Information

Known Airport Closures/Issues

• 4R9 – Aerodrome closed
• CEW – Aerodrome closed
• CQF – FBO closed
• DTS – Aerodrome closed
• GPT – Gulfport and Mobile Approach unavailable
• MOB – Gulfport and Mobile Approach unavailable
• NEW – Tower closed 9/15/20 1300z until 2100z
• PNS – Tower closed / aerodrome closed to fixed wing landing

Known Equipment Issues

• FT MYERS, FL (FMY) RWY 05 (FMY) LOC/GS. Returned to Service 1432Z.
• GULFPORT, MS (GPT) ATCT. PROTECTIVE SHUTDOWN 0100-0917/1100Z.

Route Information

The potential for Q/Y route closures will continue through the life of this hurricane. No required routes are in place at this time and none have been discussed for the overnight hours. As Sally pushes inland, expect the potential for required routes to manage the traffic that will be avoiding the region.

Operational Resources

• National Hurricane Center
• FAA OIS page
• CADENA OIS page
• FAA Advisory Database
• FAA Current Reroutes
• FAA NOTAM Search

NBAA’s HERO Database

The NBAA Humanitarian Emergency Response Operator (HERO) Database is a list of people in the business aviation community who are part of disaster-response mobilization efforts. In the aftermath of major crises, basic information from the database is provided to organizations coordinating relief efforts. Learn more and register.