Hey Everybody! I wanted to let you know the president is right, ” the beaches are fine!” You need to come down for your visit. As I mentioned yesterday we are completely full but starting Tuesday we have openings again and we would love for you come take a vacation with us this summer. we are gearing up for the crowd that start checking in this afternoon. I will be sure to post a video of everyone enjoying the beach this weekend. I do have a video that Gwen took yesterday morning . It is just a gorgeous day today!!! Can’t wait to see everyone. Ft. Morgan Beach 0527
To date, no oil has reached the beaches of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, and according to NOAA, none is expected for at least the next 72 hours. At its closest point, the slick is still approximately 50-60 miles from the western end of our island. See the current NOAA map and forecast here.
The Alabama Department of Public Health and Alabama Department of Environmental Management have stated that there is no foreseeable need to close beaches and, short of a drastic change, they have no plans to do so.
An erroneous e-mail has been circulated stating that Governor Riley had ordered the beaches closed. That e-mail is false. A press release from the Governor’s office verifying that the beaches ARE open was issued Monday, May 17th. Click here to read the release.
Although NOAA has closed commercial fishing in a limited area of the gulf between the Mississippi River and Pensacola Bay, there is a large area of the gulf still open. Charter boats are leaving Orange Beach, Gulf Shores and Fort Morgan every day to fish areas up to 25-30 miles out and in our inshore waters. To view a map of the closed area, go to https://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov/.
