May 2, 2010, 3:00 p.m.
- There are currently no effects of the oil spill on the beaches in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. According to NOAA forecasts, shoreline impact along Alabama’s coast may occur early in the week. At this point, the extent of that impact is unclear.
- NOAA is closing commercial and recreational fishing in federal waters between the mouth of the Mississippi River to Florida’s Pensacola Bay. The closure begins immediately and is in effect for at least 10 days while researchers take water samples to determine the safety of seafood taken from the affected area.
- Teams of responders have placed oil-absorbing booms at the mouths of bays, inlets and in sensitive areas all along the coast. These areas receive priority protection because they are the most vulnerable.
- Governor Bob Riley has committed to placing preventive measures including booms along Alabama’s beaches in an effort to prevent oil from reaching the shores. Officials are optimistic that any impact directly on the beaches can potentially be cleaned effectively and fairly quickly.
- National, state and local response teams are deployed at sites along the coast to deal with local effects.
- Official information pertinent to our local area is being posted here. This is confirmed information provided by the Unified Command response team (Coast Guard, Homeland Security, NOAA, Department of the Interior, BP and Transocean) and local emergency management officials. For detailed information about the entire incident visit www.deepwaterhorizonresponse.com and response.restoration.noaa.gov.
- We appreciate the tremendous outpouring of concern for Alabama’s Gulf Coast. Volunteers are asked not to self-deploy at this time. Those with an interest in volunteering should the need arise, are asked to contact volunteer banks by dialing 2-1-1 or 888-421-1266. They can also contact the Mobile Bay National Estuary Program at 251-431-6409 or mbnep@mobilebaynep.com with the following information: name, address, phone, email and resources (boat, kayak, etc.). Please be patient while volunteer needs and training opportunities are determined.
- We will continue to monitor the incident and post information updates as they become available.
