Smell From Gulf Of Mexico Oil Spill Reaches Escambia County

May 8, 2010

The first odors from the Gulf of Mexico oil spill reached Escambia County Friday afternoon, with some residents reporting a smell they described as kerosene or WD-40.

“With the afternoon sea breeze, a kerosene-like odor has been detected in areas of Escambia County. While this odor is most likely associated with the oil spill, the spill remains well to the south,” Sonya Daniel, Escambia County public information manager, said.

“Escambia County officials have deployed staff to check the waters, however there is no oil sheen or slick sighted near our coastlines,” she said.

Winds on Saturday are expected to shift to the north, alleviating the smell.

Comments

15 Responses to “Smell From Gulf Of Mexico Oil Spill Reaches Escambia County”

  1. Angela on June 4th, 2010 1:43 pm

    I smell it all over the area, stronger in pensacola. You can really notice it when you walk out from being inside for a while. i live in chumuckla and i can smell it, however; my husband does not but my children do.

  2. Car Dealer on May 11th, 2010 12:02 pm

    I smelled it here in Brewton to.. no wait that was the pb blaster we sprayed on the door hinges

  3. Becka on May 10th, 2010 10:53 pm

    I was at Perdido on Saturday and didn’t smell anything. I work down on Palafox on the water and have not smelled a thing. I sat by the water for lunch today. I think we have paranoid more than anything.

  4. Dave on May 10th, 2010 7:31 am

    The effects are here! I saw a dead fish on the Escambia River by the Quintette bridge.

  5. no one special on May 9th, 2010 8:31 pm

    Haven’t notice the smell, but have had to use inhaler for asthma more in the last few days

  6. Rex on May 9th, 2010 7:15 am

    PersonallyI love the smell of Kerosene and Diesel,
    DRILL BABY DRILL

  7. CW on May 8th, 2010 10:44 pm

    Stephanie, my family works in the oil industry and I am pro-drilling, so no, I’m not paranoid. Like I said, the smell was weak and only when the wind was blowing from the south, but I did smell a kerosene type odor for about 4 or 5 hours.

  8. William on May 8th, 2010 10:00 pm

    The odor was around the beaches and downtown on Friday, according to the county and other people.

    I was down at the bay Saturday morning, and there was no odor whatsoever. The winds shift on Saturday, pushing any smells back out.

  9. Stephanie on May 8th, 2010 9:58 pm

    Wow – Really?

    The paranoia here is unbelievable. I was at the beach yesterday & today. There was absolutely no odor.

    Come on guys – Don’t be ridiculous!!

  10. CW on May 8th, 2010 8:35 pm

    I smelled it a little bit yesterday afternoon here in Atmore, it wasn’t strong though.

  11. anydaynow on May 8th, 2010 4:10 pm

    More jet fuel?

  12. smell on May 8th, 2010 2:33 pm

    The smell was not on Pine Barren today. Come on now.

  13. emjay on May 8th, 2010 9:49 am

    That’s amazing it was smelled all the way up there. I live in south Santa Rosa and know there was a very strong odor of what I thought smelled like kerosene or lighter fluid all the way from Tiger Point Walmart area to the Navarre Beach bridge. It was horribly strong and so strong that I held my breath while I got out of my car and entered the house I was visiting.

  14. rc on May 8th, 2010 9:49 am

    I noticed the smell yesterday on pine barren rd in mcdavid.

  15. Parent of NHS student on May 8th, 2010 9:12 am

    Where were the people located that noticed the kerosene-like odor? How far inland and how far west?