Florida Deepwater Horizon Response for July 19
Under the leadership of Governor Charlie Crist, the State Emergency Response Team and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection are actively coordinating and responding to the Deepwater Horizon incident.
Message of the day:
A myth is circulating regarding a methane gas bubble that could cause a tsunami, impacting Florida. Tsunamis are unlikely to occur as a result of the Deepwater Horizon incident. These rumors involve the naturally occurring methane beneath the seafloor in the Macondo Discovery, which is the petroleum reservoir into which the Deepwater Horizon production well was drilled. Scientists and engineers are aware of the physical and chemical behavior of methane in the earth and ocean, as well as during production of petroleum. Science does not support the notion of a methane-induced tsunami resulting from Deepwater Horizon activities. However, while the possibility of an induced tsunami is extremely remote, DEP continues to take all concerns seriously and is consulting with experts in all related scientific fields. View the following DEP fact sheet with more information about methane gas and the Deepwater Horizon incident: www.dep.state.fl.us/deepwaterhorizon/files/methane_fact_sheet.pdf.
Current Situation
The State Emergency Operations Center is activated at Level 1 or full activation.
The State Emergency Response Team continues to focus on mitigating impacts to Florida’s shoreline.
State reconnaissance teams operating by air, land and sea continue to identify potential impacts and are actively coordinating with cleanup teams. View the latest reconnaissance reports.
Four Florida branch offices are fully operational in Northwest Florida. These branch offices bring together federal, state and local agencies to streamline response efforts.
Currently Deepwater Horizon is not discharging any oil into the Gulf of Mexico. BP continues the well integrity test, which is being closely monitored. Learn more.
Isolated impacts are expected to continue in Northwest Florida over the next 72 hours.
A tropical wave in the Central Caribbean Sea and a tropical wave in the Southwest Atlantic have a 20 percent change for development in the next 48 hours.
Oil Impact Notices are posted for all Escambia County and Walton County Gulf beaches, as well as designated beaches in Okaloosa County. Signs may remain in place until local authorities determine that beaches are no longer impacted by the oil spill. Learn more.
The current federal fisheries closure in the Gulf of Mexico measures 83,927 square miles. This leaves approximately 65 percent of Gulf federal waters available for fishing. This federal closure does not apply to any state waters. Learn more.
A portion of coastal state waters offshore of Escambia County is closed to the harvest of saltwater fish, crabs and shrimp. Learn more.
Learn More About Florida’s Response:
Visit www.deepwaterhorizonflorida.com to learn more about Florida’s response to the Deepwater Horizon incident, sign up for daily updates, view tips for businesses and consumers, find a listing of Unified Command, BP and Florida phone numbers, and more.
The Oil Spill Information Line is available at 1-888-337-3569 from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. seven days a week. Persons with disabilities can contact 1-800-955-8771 (TDD) or 1-800-955-8770 (voice).