This is the latest up to date information on the Gulf oil spill.
May 4, 2010
Oil Spill Update 5-4-10 11:00 a.m.
Like everyone along the Gulf Coast, the CVB is monitoring the clean-up of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. We are relying on official updates from the on-site incident team as our source of information. We have provided our staff with the following updates and encourage you to pass them on to your front-line staff or anyone fielding questions about the spill.
1.) There currently is no impact from the oil spill on the beaches of Gulf Shores & Orange Beach and, according to NOAA forecasts, no shoreline impact is expected for at least 72 hours. At this point, the extent of any potential impact is unclear.
2.) NOAA is closing commercial and recreational fishing in federal waters between the mouth of the Mississippi River to Florida’s Pensacola Bay. The closure begins immediately and is in effect for at least 10 days. However, fishing is open in waters up to 20 miles out in the Gulf and our inshore waters and charter boats are still going out from Orange Beach.
3.) Governor Bob Riley has committed to placing preventive measures, including oil-absorbing booms, along Alabama’s beaches, at the mouths of bays and inlets, and in sensitive areas all along the coast in an effort to prevent oil from reaching the shores. Officials are optimistic that any impact directly on the beaches can potentially be cleaned effectively and fairly quickly.
4.) National, state and local response teams are deployed at sites along the coast to deal with local effects.
5.) Official information pertinent to our local area is being posted at gulfshores.com. Click the yellow “Oil Spill” link at the top of the page. This is the most recent confirmed information provided by the unified response team (Coast Guard, Homeland Security, NOAA, Department of the Interior, BP and Transocean) and local emergency management officials. For detailed information about the entire incident visit http://www.deepwaterhorizonresponse.com/go/doc/2931/530631 or http://response.restoration.noaa.gov/.
6.) We will continue to monitor the incident and post information updates at gulfshores.com (click the yellow link at the top of the page) as they become available.
*Additional resources for Industry Partners and residents
1.) BP is now accepting claims for the Gulf Coast oil spill. Please call BP’s helpline at 1-800-440-0858. A BP fact sheet with additional information is available on the Deepwater Response website. Those who have already pursued the BP claims process and are not satisfied with BP’s resolution can call the Coast Guard at 1-800-280-7118. More information about what types of damages are eligible for compensation under the Oil Pollution Act as well as guidance on procedures to seek that compensation can be found at http://www.uscg.mil/npfc.
2.) We appreciate the tremendous outpouring of concern for Alabama’s coast. Volunteers are asked not to self-deploy at this time. Those with an interest in volunteering should the need arise, are asked to contact volunteer banks by dialing 2-1-1 or 888-421-1266. They can also contact the Mobile Bay National Estuary Program at 251-431-6409 or mbnep@mobilebaynep.com with the following information: name, address, phone, email and resources (boat, kayak, etc.). Please be patient while volunteer needs and training opportunities are determined.
3.) A toll-free number (866-557-1401) has been established to report oiled or injured wildlife. People are urged not to attempt to help injured or oil animals, but to report any sightings via the toll-free number.
4.) The Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) has prepared some precautions to be aware of and they can be found on their website. ADPH has NOT issued any advisories at this point.