Latest Escambia Oil Update (With Map)

June 9, 2010

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Here is the latest Deepwater Horizon oil spill information specific to Escambia County for Wednesday, June 9.

The most recent updates are in yellow.

  • If you see tar or oiled debris on the beach, DO NOT PICK IT UP. Report it to I-877-272-8335, #DEP from a cell phone or 1-866-448-5816.
  • If you find oiled or injured wildlife. DO NOT TOUCH. Report it to 1-866-557-1401.
  • According to the NOAA oil plume model, the primary oil plume remains less than 5 miles from Pensacola
  • The beaches at Pensacola Beach and Perdido Key remain open.
  • Late this afternoon, reports of an oily substance washing ashore on Perdido Key were received. The Health Department has issued advisory for the beach from the Florida/Alabama line to the entrance of the Gulf Islands National Seashore (Johnson Beach). The Health Department is posting signs at the affected area. Residents can participate in activities that are above the high tide line.  If you experience respiratory problems, leave the area and contact a physician if you deem necessary. Please see the Health Department web site for more information on health safety: www.escambiahealth.com
  • June 7 water quality testing from the University of West Florida came back negative for aliphatic hydrocarbons. This means that no dissolved or dispersed hydrocarbons were found in the water.  Arrival of tar pies represents a different and less toxic form of the oil reaching the beaches.
  • See Florida Department of Health information and alerts about the health effects from oil.
  • The presence of tar balls continues on Pensacola Beach and Perdido Key. Areas of impact include Perdido Key, Pensacola Beach and Gulf Islands National Seashore. The size of the materials typically range from 1/2 inch to 4 inches in size.
  • Currently 420 members of clean-up crews were deployed in Escambia County.
  • A light to moderate easterly flow of five to 15 knots this morning shifts to the south-southeast this afternoon and will slightly lessen. This wind flow pattern will persist through the end of the week and currents will become more westward for the next few days. These two factors will combine to inhibit further eastward movement of the oil plume along the Florida Panhandle. Weather will be favorable for recovery operations this week as shower chances remain below 10 percent and seas remain calm at one to three feet.
  • Reconnaissance flights and ATV beach patrols are being conducted daily, weather permitting, to monitor Florida’s shoreline for impact.
  • Escambia County Board of County Commissioners renewed the Local State of Emergency on Thursday, June 3 at the BOCC meeting.
  • Unified command continues to check, verify the condition and make repairs as needed to currently placed booms. The county will work with Unified Command on any placement of boom within navigable waterways.

British Petroleum (BP)
  • BP claims in Florida: 8,252 with $5,378,781 paid.
  • BP has 312 vessels deployed in Florida for the Vessels of Opportunity Program.
  • There are reports of a scam involving individuals falsely representing themselves as BP employees and offering applicants training and promising job placement for a fee.  BP does not charge to train and hire applicants.  If you or someone you know has been charged for training, please contact law enforcement.
  • BP is providing a $100,000 grant through a Memorandum of Understanding with Volunteer Florida to maintain a database for the regulation of volunteers. BP’s Florida Gulf Response web site: www.floridagulfresponse.com.
  • File claims with BP online: http://www.bp.com/claims.
  • BP’s claims office is located at 3960 W. Navy Boulevard, Suite 16 & 17. The office is currently open 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., seven days a week, until further notice. BP claims categories.
  • BP recommends anyone with a claim call 1-800-440-0858 to help expedite the process. By calling the claims number, adjusters at the claims office will have the information prior to your visit.
  • If you are not satisfied with BP’s resolution, call the Coast Guard at 1-800-280-7118.
  • The BP community outreach office is open for citizens at 435 East Government Street. Representatives are available to answer any questions on volunteering, vessels of opportunity program, or any other oil spill related questions. Phone: (850) 912-8640, fax: (850) 912-8755.
  • To register as a consultant, contractor, vendor or submit information on alternative response technology, services products or suggestions, call BP at 281-366-5511.
  • BP Vessels of Opportunity – see the master vessel charter agreement and vessel requirements checklist online www.deepwaterhorizonresponse.com.
  • To pick up or deliver completed Vessels of Opportunity packets, visit BP’s Community Outreach office at 435 East Government Street. For information, call 281-366-5511.
  • Do not sign any documents in return from money from BP or anyone else until you know the extent of your loss. BP officials carry proper identification badges or business cards.
  • The Fish and Wildlife Service is working with Tri-State Bird Rescue & Research, contracted by BP to provide assistance to oiled wildlife. Specific safety and other requirements must be met before anyone will be allowed on-site for any participation. If you have wildlife training, call 1-866-557-1401.
  • Boaters are requested to report sightings of broken, disconnected or adrift boom and are asked to keep their distance from boom especially at night or in conditions of restricted visibility. Please report damaged, vandalized, adrift or stolen boom to: 1-866-448-5816. See details.

Federal (NOAA, Coast Guard)
  • The Coast Guard has three 225 foot skimmers in the gulf working both Florida and Alabama.
  • CORRECTION: The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has opened 339 square miles of previously closed fishing area off the Florida panhandle – the northern boundary now ends at the Florida federal-state water line on the east side of Choctawhatchee Bay. Previous information read that 430 square miles had been opened. See details: http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov.

State of Florida (DEP, FWC)
  • A Legal Advisory Council was established to assess the impact the potential disaster could have on the state.
  • For information on the Florida Small Business Development Center’s Mobile Area Command units, visit www.floridasbdc.org/Special Programs/bcrm.asp.
  • Additional guidance to help small businesses survive a disaster can be found at www.MyFloridaCFO.com or by calling 850-413-3089 or toll-free 1-877-MY-FL-CFO (1-877-693-5236).

Escambia County Board of County Commissioners and Staff
  • Escambia County is received a permit from DEP to use rakes and tractors (mechanical cleaning equipment) on Escambia County beaches.
  • Escambia County contractors are monitoring the passes for indications of oil during the evening hours.
  • EOC briefings will continue 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., with news conferences are held at 9:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. until further notice.
  • County staff continue to monitor and maintain boom. For details, see our Booming Locations and Booming Maps.
  • Escambia County opened field offices on Pensacola Beach and Perdido Key to assist in answering questions from the public and act as staging areas for the county monitoring teams. The Pensacola Beach field office is located at 5 Via Deluna, Suite 8 and the Perdido Key field office is located at 13578 Perdido Key Drive.
  • County officials are meeting with BP and the Coast Guard daily on materials collected and locations of cleanup.
  • SRIA lifeguards continue patrolling beaches for oil from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
  • In the event beaches are impacted by the oil spill, it may be necessary to issue health advisories to protect health and safety.
    • The Florida Department of Health will issue advisories as they become necessary for the area of affected water and shoreline.
    • Beaches above the high tide line should remain open for sunbathing, walking, shopping and dining. The exact area for the advisories will be determined at the time oil is reported.
  • Escambia County has allocated over $3 million local dollars to date.
  • Escambia County has received $700,000 in funding for tourism promotion with the Escambia County Tourism Development Council, with another $700,000 to be allocated in 45 days.
  • Hurricane season began June 1. See the Hurricanes and Oil Spill Fact Sheet (PDF)
  • Escambia County is evaluating every viable proposal for coastal protection and recovery, coordinating with Unified Command and will share information as it is approved.
  • Escambia County, in conjunction with the University of West Florida, is collecting gulf water samples from Santa Rosa Island and Perdido Key weekly to indicate any changes in water quality.
  • On inland waters (bays, bayous, estuaries, rivers), private property owners may install oil absorbent material, booms or fences on private property above the mean high waterline (MHWL) only. No material may be installed or sprayed below the MHWL.
  • On gulf-front property, the use of silt fences, obstructions, hay bales, peat, surfactants or other material is not approved. DEP is the permitting agency for beaches and coastal systems. No obstructions to sea turtle nesting behavior is allowed.
  • Residents and business owners with water access on their property should have pre-assessments prepared (photos, video, etc. documenting the current condition of the property).
  • If citizens see anything unusual on the beaches they feel needs to be reported:
    • Contact the Perdido Key Chamber of Commerce at 850-492-4660 on Perdido Key
    • Report to the lifeguards on duty on Pensacola Beach
  • Deflective boom has been deployed in all locations of the Local Action Plan and Addendum One. Staff continues to evaluate areas and is monitoring all deployed boom.
  • To keep waterways open as long as possible, boom is “wet staged” at some locations. When floating petroleum becomes an imminent threat, boom will be fully deployed. “Fully deployed boom” is described as boom anchored into a functional configuration.

City of Pensacola
  • The City of Pensacola continues to coordinate with Escambia County officials.

Volunteer Opportunities
  • The Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) has determined volunteers cannot be used in any situation where they may come in contact with oiled shorelines or oiled wildlife.
  • To volunteer, visit www.volunteerfloridadisaster.org.

Safety Information
  • If you see a tar ball on the beach, DO NOT PICK IT UP. Report it to 1-866-448-5816.

Wildlife

  • Do not attempt to rescue oiled or injured birds or wildlife as this may cause additional injuries.
  • If oiled, injured or dead wildlife are found, call the Oiled Wildlife Hotline at 1-866-557-1401. Please provide location of where the wildlife was sighted.

Boats

  • Boats should keep a safe distance from the booms. Do not drive boats over booms.
  • Boat owners are urged to dry-dock boats. Do not drive boats through slicks or sheens.

Beaches and Waterways

  • Citizens should take precautions around waterways to avoid contact with oil substances.
  • Officials are closely monitoring potential public health and environmental concerns.

Personal Safety

  • Gulf coast residents may detect an odor because of the oil spill. Some are more sensitive to these odors and may experience nasal irritation and feelings of nausea. In combination with seasonal allergies or pre-existing respiratory conditions, some may experience more severe symptoms. For Air Quality Reports, see http://www.epa.gov/bpspill/air.html.
  • Individuals who have pre-existing medical conditions, such as asthma or other respiratory illness should contact their health care provider if feeling symptomatic.
  • If you see or smell oil, leave immediately. Avoid skin contact with oil or oil-contaminated water.
  • Do not swim or ski in areas affected by oil, and if you travel through the area by boat, take care when hoisting the anchor. Restrict pets from entering oil-contaminated areas.
  • If you get oil on your skin, wash it off with soap and water.
  • Do not fish in the oil spill-affected waters. Do not harvest and eat dead fish, fish with oily residue or fish that have a petroleum odor.
  • Young children, pregnant women, people with compromised immune systems, and individuals with underlying respiratory conditions should avoid the area.
  • Report oiled shorelines to 1-866-448-5816.

Business Information
  • More information about what types of damages are eligible for compensation under the Oil Pollution Act as well as guidance to seek compensation can be found at www.uscg.mil/npfc.
  • Florida emergency management and economic development staff are gathering information from businesses impacted by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Please complete their survey and help shape Florida’s response to this event. The survey will be updated periodically.
  • Take detailed records of cancelled reservations. When cancellations occur, ask the party if the cancellation is related the oil spill. Keep the person’s name and contact information, and the revenues lost as a result of the cancellation.
  • Businesses negatively impacted due to the oil spill, are asked to keep detailed profit and loss records should a claim need to be presented. Calculate estimated losses for a six-week period and have records, receipts and documentation to support your claim. Compare business to a five-year average of revenues between May and June, which can offer insight as to the damages incurred.
  • Make a detailed list of assets, including non-structural, and include supportive records. If your hotel or restaurant is within walking distance to the beach, the business’s assets could be damaged even though there is no physical damage to the structure. Please record this depreciation.

Important Phone Numbers For Citizens

    • To report oil on the beach or shoreline:
      • 1-866-448-5816
      • 1-877-2SAVEFL or 1-877-272-8335
      • #DEP from a cell phone.
    • To report oiled wildlife:
      • 1-866-557-1401
    • BP Claims:
      • 1-800-440-0858
    • To report damaged, vandalized, adrift or stolen boom:
      • 1-866-448-5816
      • 1-800-320-0519
    • Escambia County Citizen’s Information Line:
      • 471-6600
    • Florida Oil Spill Information Line:
      • 1-888-337-3569

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