Oil Spill Update

Like everyone along the Gulf Coast, the CVB is monitoring the clean-up of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill and relying on official updates from the Unified Command response team and local emergency management officials for information. We will continue to post confirmed updates on this page as they become available.

Our Daily Video Update from Gulf Shores/Orange Beach

Gulf Oil Spill Update, Wednesday, June 2, 2010, 2:45 p.m.

• To date, no oil has reached the beaches of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. According to NOAA's projections, there is a possibility of oil near shore or onshore starting Wednesday afternoon. The extent of that impact is unknown and this is only a forecast. Like the weather forecast, it is subject to change. See the current NOAA map and forecast here and check back frequently for changing conditions.
  
• No health advisories or closings have been issued for our beaches or the waters off Gulf Shores, Orange Beach or Fort Morgan at this point.
  
• The City of Gulf Shores has contractors working to lay protective berm across Little Lagoon Pass, preparing in advance of any oil to preserve the waters and habitats of Little Lagoon.
  
• NOAA has extended the limit of the closed fishing area to the line where federal waters meet Alabama state waters. To view a map of the closed area, go to http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov/.
  
• We have had two isolated incidents of tarballs washing up on the beaches between Orange Beach and Fort Morgan. To date, only a few dozen tarballs have been reported along our 32 miles of beachfront and contracted crews immediately cleaned the affected areas. According to NOAA, tarballs DO NOT pose a health risk to the average person. However, beachgoers are advised not to pick them up and asked to report any sightings by calling 866-448-5816. To read NOAA’s information about tarballs, click here.
  
• All appropriate protective measures, including oil-absorbing booms, are being placed along beaches, bays, inlets, and sensitive areas in an effort to keep oil from reaching Alabama’s shoreline. National, state and local response teams are deployed at sites along the coast to deal with local effects.
  
• We will continue to monitor the situation and post information pertinent to our local area here as it become available.
  
• For detailed information about the entire incident, visit the NOAA (http://response.restoration.noaa.gov/) or Deepwater Horizon (www.deepwaterhorizonresponse.com) response sites.
  
  
  

  Photo Gallery   Add a Photo Have a recent photo of Gulf Shores & Orange Beach? Post it here and help us show the latest views of our area.

  Additional Links

  • Deepwater Horizon Incident Page
  • NOAA's Office of Response and Restoration
  • NOAA Fisheries Service
  • Alabama Department of Public Health
  • Bama Beach Cams - live webcams