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Fred Owens Jr.

Mr. Fred Owens Jr, 83, died Sunday, June 27, 2010, at a Brewton hospital. He was a native of Wilmer, Ark., and a resident of the Flomaton and Century area since 1971, coming from Bossier City, La. He was a U.S. Air Force veteran, retiring after 22 years of service as a jet engine and missile technician. While stationed at Eglin Air Force Base, he received the Air Force Commendation Medal for rescuing a launched, out of control missile that could have done grave damage to the base. After he retired from the military, he worked in the oil fields as a technician. He was a member of Century First Baptist Church.

He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Lou S. Owens of Flomaton; four sons, Fred A. (Sharon) Owens, Terrance ‘Terry’ H. (Cynthia) Owens, Darrell (Kimberly) Owens and Tracy R. Owens, all of Flomaton; a daughter, Sandra L. (Donny) Hastings of Brewton; two sisters, Francis Wright of Lake Providence, La. and Kathlene Gideon of Dearborn, Mich.; 11 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, June 30, at 2 p.m. at Flomaton Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Homer Stewart and the Rev. Gam Graves officiating. Burial will follow at Rock Cemetery with full military honors and Flomaton Funeral Home directing. Pallbearers will be Kyle Owens, T.J. Owens, Mickey Sansom, Coby Owens, David Owens, and Charles Sansom.

Heavy Rain Possible Through Wednesday Night

More rain is our forecast through Thursday in North Escambia area, with some storms possibly bringing heavy rainfall.

Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:

• Tonight: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 7pm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73. South wind between 5 and 10 mph becoming calm. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
• Tuesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rain. Cloudy, with a high near 91. East southeast wind between 5 and 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
• Tuesday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1am. Some of the storms could produce heavy rain. Cloudy, with a low around 72. Southeast wind between 5 and 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
• Wednesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rain. Cloudy, with a high near 88. Southeast wind between 5 and 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
• Wednesday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Some of the storms could produce heavy rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73. East southeast wind around 10 mph.
• Thursday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 91. East southeast wind around 10 mph.
• Thursday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. South southeast wind around 5 mph.
• Friday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 91. Southeast wind between 5 and 10 mph.
• Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 70.
• Saturday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 92.
• Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 72.
• Independence Day: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a high near 92.

Crash Data Shows Highway 29’s Worst Intersections

Crash data from the Florida Department of Transportation provides some interesting insight into how many crashes occur on Highway 29 and which intersections are the worst.

If you guessed the Highway 97 intersection is bad; you would be right. Crash data shows the Highway 97 and Highway 29 intersection in Molino experienced abnormally high crash rates from 2005-2008 compared to the statewide average for similar intersections.

Data from the most recently available five year period available shows that there were 1,521 crashes, 907 of which caused injury. The most common crash type on Highway 29 from Pensacola to the Alabama state line was rear-end (39 percent).

The most common crash day was Friday (18 percent), and about 30 percent of wrecks happened between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m.

Nine intersections along Highway 29 were identified as high crash locations — having more than eight crashes per year, or 40 over a five year period:

• Highway 97 — 38 crashes
• Ten Mile Road — 61 crashes
• Nine One Half Mile Road — 34 crashes
• Burgess Road — 68 crashes
• Diamond Dairy Road — 58 crashes
• Broad Street — 68 crashes
• Hannah Street — 49 crashes
• Hood Drive — 43 crashes
• Detroit Boulevard — 68 crashes

Statistics revealed more information about the three most northern high crash locations on Highway 29:

• Highway 97 — The most common crash type at the Highway 97 and Highway 29 intersection was rear-end at 63 percent. About two-thirds of all crashes resulted in at least one injury. About 58 percent of the at-fault vehicles were traveling east off Highway 97. During the five year period studied, there was one fatal crash in 2005.
• Ten Mile Road — Common crash types were split between rear-end at 36 percent and angle at 34 percent. Crashes most commonly occurred between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m., and about one-third of the crashes were at night. About two-thirds of the wrecks at the intersection resulted in an injury.
• Nine One Half Mile Road — About six out of ten wrecks at this intersection were from an angle, while 21 percent were rear-end. About one-third happened after dark. Over 70 percent of the at-fault vehicles were traveling on Nine One Half Mile Road.

Pictured top: Six people were injured in a two-vehicle accident in September, 2008, at the intersection of Highway 29 and Highway 97. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.

Recycling Business Or Junkyard? Century Public Hearing Today

The Town of Century will hold a public workshop today to discuss the rezoning of a piece of property as commercial or industrial so that a local man can continue to operate what he calls a “recycling business”.

George W. Philyaw has been cited by Escambia County Code Enforcement for his property at 120 Front Street because it is zoned residential which does not allow his type of business to operate. He has told the town council that he simply collects metal for recycling until he has a “load” and then it is sold.

While Philyaw says he is operating a recycling business, the Century Town Council has questioned if it is not actually a junk yard behind his privacy fence.

Council President Ann Brooks has asked each member of the council to individually visit the property to decide if they believe it is, or is not, a junkyard. Junkyards, under guidelines set forth in the town’s ordinances, are allowed in industrial zones.

Philyaw has agreed to deposit $600 with the town to be used for actual costs toward rezoning. If his rezoning request is denied, he will still forfeit the town’s actual costs.

The Century Town Council will hold a public workshop today at 11 a.m. the town hall to discuss a proposed Comprehensive Plan Amendment to change the future land use on the property at 120 Front Street from residential to either commercial or industrial. The workshop is open to the public, and the public is invited to submit written or verbal comments for consideration.

Crist Tours Panhandle Oil Cleanup Effort

Florida Gov. Charlie Crist was on Pensacola Beach Saturday and Sunday, accessing the threat from the season’s first tropical storm and looking at the possibility that Alex could push more tar and oil into the Panhandle.

Forecasters and emergency leaders told Crist at the Mobile Command Vehicle operated by the Florida Division of Emergency Management (DEM) that rough waves from the Alex could push the oil northward toward Florida.

DEM Director David Halstead and Florida Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Mike Sole briefed the Governor on oil cleanup, and Governor Crist and Secretary Sole toured the Gulf on the skimmer Orion to observe firsthand the ship’s oil spill cleanup efforts.

Governor Crist also participated in the Hands Across the Sand event at the Navarre Pier on Pensacola Beach. Hands Across the Sand participants are gathering Saturday at similar events throughout the United States and around the world to bring attention to the dangers of offshore oil drilling. The organization also encourages policies that will increase the use and development of clean and renewable energy sources. Crist has called legislators to support a constitutional amendment that would give Floridians the opportunity to choose whether to ban drilling off Florida’s shores.

“Our first priority is ensuring Florida is doing all we can to prevent oil coming onto our shores and to begin cleanup immediately when it does,” said Governor Crist. “Florida’s emergency responders are the best in the nation, and putting our team in charge of Florida’s response is the best way to make sure our shoreline and beaches are protected. Floridians and visitors to the Sunshine State deserve nothing less than the best response possible.”

Earlier this week, Governor Crist requested faster cleanup and more skimmers and boom from Senior White House Advisor Valerie Jarrett after taking a aerial and shoreline tour of the oil spill with oceanography experts and meeting with leaders of the United States Coast Guard. Governor Crist also requested from BP a complete electronic file of every business, individual, and government claim. He asked for the information to be updated weekly and to include the status of each claim. Data will be used to evaluate the claims process and measure the economic impact of the losses to all level of governments throughout Florida.

Pictured top: Gov. Charlie Crist prepares to take an aerial tour of the Gulf Sunday from Pensacola Beach. Pictured inset: Crist in the Florida Division of Emergency Management mobile command center. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com Pictured below: Waves roll into Pensacola Beach Saturday. Submitted photo by Tanya Poston for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Company Grading FCAT Gets Failing Grade; State Wants Cash

The Florida Department of Education is giving a failing grade to the contractor that is late in reporting the results of the state’s FCAT standardized exam. The DOE is seeking test results for parents and more than $3 million in damages for contractor NCS Pearson.

“I fully realize that assessing these damages does not completely make up for the significant inconveniences being felt by students and their families, teachers and school administrators, but it does show very clearly that we are holding Pearson accountable for their failure to uphold the terms of the contract,” state education commissioner Eric Smith said in a release Thursday.

The FCAT is administered to students in grades 3 through 11, with reading and math tested in most grades and science and writing tested in some of them. NCS Pearson signed a $250 million contract with the state in 2009 to provide scoring of the exam until 2013. Harcourt Assessment, acquired by Pearson in 2007, had provided similar services related to the FCAT since 2000.

Scores from the writing exam were to be released in April, with scores from most reading, math and science exams following a few weeks after. Most of the results came several weeks late and some have yet to be delivered.

The delays, attributed to technical glitches, sparked outrage from the department, school districts and lawmakers. School officials have said that the delays cause problems in staffing because grade promotion for students is based on the exams.

Pearson has publicly taken responsibility for the situation and a spokesman said Thursday “we intend to fulfill all our obligations to the state.”

“We will continue to work with the DOE to work out the details on damages, but right now are focused on getting the test results delivered,” said spokesman Adam Gaber.

The Department of Education said it had not heard back directly from Pearson about the state’s intent to seek damages and Smith said in a statement that once all of the results have been delivered he may seek additional damages that are “consistent with all other missed delivery dates.”

Kathleen Haughney, The News Service Florida, contributed to this report.

Portion Of Nokomis Road Closing

A short section of Nokomis Road was scheduled to be closed for two weeks beginning Monday, creating travel problems for residents in the Nokomis area.

The Escambia County Road Department will close Nokomis Road from Meadows Lane to Rockaway Creek Road from 6:00 a.m. Monday until 4:30 p.m. on Friday, July 9. A crossover pipe will be replaced by road crews during the closure.

Escambia Health Advisory Rescinded

The health advisory for Escambia County beaches has been rescinded. Currently, there are no beaches in Escambia County under a health advisory.

Effective immediately, the Escambia County (FL) Health Department is rescinding the health advisory issued on June 23, 2010 for the following beach waters in Escambia County, Florida, that were affected by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill:

• Gulf Islands National Seashore (both Ft. Pickens and Johnson Beach areas)

“This is a highly dynamic situation varying by tide, current, and wind changes/direction,” said health department director Dr. John Lanza.  ”We expect to frequently give and rescind advisories along our beaches.”

The health department is rescinding its health advisory now that government officials verify that there is no oil sheen or oil slick observed in the water from the high water mark out to 100 yards from shore.  Officials continue to recommend that beachgoers avoid contact with tar balls.  However, if an individual’s skin comes into contact with tar:

• Wash with soap and large amounts of water. Health officials discourage the use of gasoline, kerosene or other solvents to clean oil from skin.
• If tar is not removed with soap and water, scrape off the excess tar from your skin and apply a grease removing agent – such as a liquid grease-cutting dish detergent — or mineral oil. Rinse your skin with large amounts of fresh water.
• Remove contaminated clothing.
• If symptoms or irritation occur, call a physician.

Government officials continue to monitor the water for impact from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.

For more information contact:

• Escambia County Health Department at (850)595-6700 and www.EscambiaHealth.com
• Escambia County Citizen’s Information Line at 471-6600 from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. CDT (Monday – Sunday) or www.escambiadisasterresponse.com
• Florida Oil Spill Information Line at (888)337-3569

NWE, Tri-County In Action Tonight In Girl’s All-Star Tournament

The Florida District 1 All Star Tournament for 11-12 year old girls will continue today at Bradberry Park in Walnut Hill.

Tri-County, coming off a 26-8 loss Saturday to DeFuniak Springs, will face Destin at 5:30 this afternoon. Northwest Escambia’s girls will open their tournament play against DeFuniak Springs at 7:30 this evening.

Are you going to the tournament? Share your photos with our readers! Email your pictures to news@northescambia.com

Pictured: Members of the Northwest Escambia 11-12 year old All Stars (front, L-R) Savanna Roux, Peighton Dortch, Courtney Peebles, Kyndall Hall, (back) Penny Banda, Addy Lee, Kendal Cobb, Mallory Ryan and Kristin Byrd. Not pictured: Natalie Goetter, Manager Jerry Mason, manager;  Coach Ronald Peebles and Coach Eddie Ryan. Submitted photo by Kim Ryan for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Monday’s Escambia Oil Update

Here is the latest BP oil spill information specific to Escambia County for Monday, June 28.

Report tar or oiled debris on the beach 1-877-389-8932 or #DEP from a cell phone. DO NOT TOUCH oiled or injured wildlife. Report your finding to 1-866-557-1401. Everyone is advised to avoid contact with tar balls or oiled debris on the beaches. (More Information)

The Health Department rescinded the health advisory for all area beaches. Winds are forecast to be east-southeasterly through Monday. Seas of one to three feet and a 10-30 percent chance of offshore rain are expected. Tropical Storm Alex is currently over the Yucatan Peninsula. It is forecasted to enter the southern Gulf of Mexico later today. The current track has the storm moving west-northwest. Incident Command reported 72,510 pounds of tar ball and oil material was collected on Friday.o  Perdido Key- 14,370 poundso  East Pensacola Pier- 21,750 poundso  West Pensacola Pier- 22,800 poundso  Gulf Island National Seashore- 13,590 pounds Incident Command is also reporting 10 skimmers in the inland waterways in Escambia County. Aerial recon flight information from Sunday morning observed the following: Big Lagoon – rainbow sheen and and silver sheen observed in streamers on the water surface, approximately 100 feet south into Big Lagoon from the north shore. Produce was approximately 300 feet long by 60 feet wide. There were seven vessels in the area and skippers were working the product. Gulf of Mexico – south of Pensacola Beach/Fort Pickens entrance beginning at five miles south into the Gulf of Mexico; heavy orang mousse, silver sheen, rainbow sheen, metallic sheen observed in streamers. Gulf of Mexico – offshore approximately 500 yards from entrance to Fort Pickens, heavy concentration of rainbow sheen. Gulf of Mexico – offshore at Pensacola Beach fishing pier, a streamer of light mousse and sheen was observed just east of the fishing pier. Perdido Pass – a streamer of heavy mousse was observed entering Perdido Pass. Several vessels were in the area. Perdido and Pensacola Passes – Sporadic tar balls along the tide line have been reported in Pensacola Pass. A streamer of heavy mousse was observed entering Perdido Pass. Several vessels were in the area. News conferences will continue on Monday as regularly scheduled. Pensacola Beach and Perdido Key Beach Protection and Shoreline Cleanup Plan The beaches are open for business. Please be sensitive to the clean up efforts on the beaches. We understand curiosity, but officials are asking the public to avoid work areas and allow room for the workers and equipment needed to clean the beaches. Please do not handle or walk through the tar balls and oil. This only spreads the product and makes cleanup more difficult. Unified Command has released a fact sheet on “If Oil is Spotted on the Shore” that provides details on what happens after the oil reaches the shore. Details.

BP

BP claims in Florida total 21,288 with $18,241,105.61 paid. There are 387 vessels are deployed in Florida for the Vessels of Opportunity program.

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. There are reports of a scam involving individuals falsely representing themselves as BP employees and offering applicants training and job placement for a fee. BP does not charge to train applicants.  If you or someone you know has been charged for training, please contact law enforcement. 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. Call 1-800-440-0858 to help expedite the process. If you are not satisfied with BP’s resolution, call 1-800-280-7118. The BP community outreach office is located at 435 East Government Street for questions on volunteering, vessels of opportunity program, or any other questions. Phone: 850-912-8640. 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 435 East Government Street. For information, call 281-366-5511. 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

Latest information from NOAA Fisheries Service, including federal fisheries closure, regulation changes and quota increases: http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov.

State of Florida

Governor Charlie Crist sent a letter to Doug Suttles, Chief Operating Officer of Exploration and Production for BP America, Inc. requesting the data needed to evaluate the claims process and measure the economic impact of the losses to all level of governments throughout Florida. Letter Five skimmers were contracted by the state of Florida for this area with one skimmer designated for Escambia County. See Florida Department of Health information and alerts about the health effects from oil. See DEP’s Homeowner Tips for Protecting Florida’s Shorlines (PDF). The Small Business Administration issued an economic injury Disaster Loan Declaration for the state of Florida. Pensacola office: 401 E. Chase St., Ste. 100. For more information on Economic Injury Disaster Loans visit the SBA website. 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). Submit innovative technology ideas, suggestions or products by completing this form. Send the form and supporting documentation to Innovative.Technology@dep.state.fl.us. Video and audio public service announcements are available for download to educate the public on response, safety, coast watch and beach cleanup. See details. Report boom vandalism to the 1-800-320-0519 or #DEP from your cell phone.

Escambia County

Lt. Governor Jeff Kottkamp will visit the EOC on Monday, June 28 at 2 p.m. for an EOC briefing and tour of the facility. He will be available to the media immediately following.

Cleaning stations have been placed on both Perdido Key and Pensacola Beach at the crossovers (between the crossovers and the roadways) to aid in the removal of tar and oil. Clean-up crews continue to work both beaches at night when temperatures are cooler. “Hot shot” teams are responding to specific requests during the day as needed. Staff continue to monitor clean-up efforts and skimming operations. Skimmer vessels continue to respond as reports are received. Skimmers are working nightly. A federal website is live providing real time information about the Deepwater Horizon BP Oil spill into one customizable, interactive map. A  Recreational Vessel Decontamination Facility for local boaters is being established. Reports vary widely throughout the day as heat from the sun brings subsurface oil to the top, and cooler temperatures at night tend to cause it to sink below the surface. Anyone caught destroying, disturbing or stealing boom will be prosecuted. If you spot any illegal activity related to the booms, please call 1-800-320-0519. See Escambia Inland Waterways Deployed Boom List. Perdido Pass, Pensacola Pass and Bayou Texar are navigationally restricted during flood (incoming) tide and reopen during ebb (outgoing) tide as water flows out to the gulf. They are manned to allow access to necessary vessel traffic. (See NOAA tide predictions.) Boaters are asked to be mindful of the boom and skimming operations, to use slow speeds so as not to produce a wake that may disrupt the boom, and to be aware of restricted areas. A flashing light has been attached to all boom to increase visibility to boaters. The Intracoastal Waterway remains open. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), in coordination with Florida’s Department of Environmental Protection, the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and the Department of Health, issued an executive order to temporarily close a portion of coastal state waters offshore of Escambia County to the harvest of saltwater fish, crabs and shrimp. Details. The closure includes state waters from the beaches out nine nautical miles into the Gulf from the Alabama line east to the Pensacola Beach water tower. Interior bays and estuaries remain open to fishing. This area covers approximately 23 miles of Florida’s coastline in Escambia County. Map. Recreational catch-and-release fishing is still allowed. The Pensacola Beach Fishing Pier and the Pensacola Bay Fishing Bridge are open for sightseers and fishing, however fishing off the Pensacola Beach Fishing Pier is catch and release only. Reconnaissance flights and ATV beach patrols are being conducted daily, weather permitting, to monitor Florida’s shoreline for impact. Unified command continues to check, verify the condition and make repairs as needed to currently placed booms. If citizens see anything unusual on the beaches, Escambia County has opened field offices on Pensacola Beach and Perdido Key to assist in answering questions from the public and to also act as staging areas for the county monitoring teams. The Pensacola Beach field office is located at 5 Via Deluna, Suite 8; phone: 934-6500. The Perdido Key field office is located at 13578 Perdido Key Drive; phone: 791-6905 Staff continue to monitor and maintain boom. See Booming Locations and Booming Maps. Hurricane season began June 1. See the Hurricanes and Oil Spill Fact Sheet (PDF) 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.

City of Pensacola

Boom has been added by city at the Escambia Bay entrance to Gaborone Swamp off Scenic Highway. As requested by the city, additional boom has been placed at the mouth of Bayou Texar by the county to provide additional protection. Boom has been added by city to protect aquatic vegetation just south of 17th Avenue boat ramp at Bayou Texar on west side. DEP has boomed Project Greenshores Phase II from Muscogee Wharf to Hawkshaw Lagoon. Boom has been added by the city across entrance to Pitt Slip Marina in the very near future, as warranted. Boom has been added by the city to entrance of new Maritime Park bulkhead mitigation site immediately west of Crab Trap restaurant. City is currently requesting/seeking approximately 1100′ of boom to secure and protect the rip-rap surrounding the Bruce Beach wetland mitigation site maintained by the Port of Pensacola. Boom has been added by city to protect shoreline of Sanders Beach-Corrine Jones community center and waterfront park facility immediately east of Bayou Chico.

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 1-877-389-8932. The Escambia County Health Department offers advice to residents experiencing symptoms from odors associated with the oil spill. (See details at www.escambiahealth.com.) Florida Department of Health Deepwater Horizon Health Information FAQs. Seafood Consumption FAQs. 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 1-866-557-1401. Provide location where the wildlife was sighted. Boats Boats should keep a safe distance from the booms. Do not drive boats over booms. Do not drive boats through slicks or sheens. 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. Young children, pregnant women, people with compromised immune systems, and individuals with underlying respiratory conditions should avoid the area. 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.

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 Report oil on the beach or shoreline: 1-877-389-8932 or #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 or 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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