NOAA announces good news for Southwest Florida
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced recently that a new analysis shows Southern Florida, the Florida Keys, and the East Coast are unlikely to experience any effects from the remaining oil on the surface of the Gulf as a result of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. No new oil has leaked from the Deepwater Horizon well in more than three weeks and the surface oil that remains is hundreds of miles away from the loop current and in the process of degrading.
“This announcement further confirms what Florida’s reconnaissance efforts have long suggested that oil is not likely to reach the loop current,” said Florida Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Michael W. Sole. “Our focus remains on response and recovery; however, the threat of oil reaching Florida’s shores is dramatically reduced with each day the well is capped.”
According to NOAA, a large loop current eddy, called Eddy Franklin, has pinched off and detached from the loop current. As of July 25, Eddy Franklin was more than 100 miles from the nearest surface oil associated with the Deepwater Horizon well. Until the loop current fully reforms, which is not projected to occur for several months, there is no clear way for oil to be transported to southern Florida or beyond. At that point, it is expected that the majority of remaining surface oil will have dissipated.
The furthest east Florida has seen impacts from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill is just east of the Gulf/Bay County line. Although sporadic sightings of tar balls have been reported, Northwest Florida’s shoreline has not received additional impacts lately. State reconnaissance teams operating by air, land and sea continue to identify potential impacts and are actively coordinating with cleanup teams.
To view NOAA’s press release visit app.restorethegulf.gov/go/doc/2931/835719/
For more information on Florida’s response to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, visit www.deepwaterhorizonflorida.com, follow www.Twitter.com/FLDEPalert or call the Florida Oil Spill Information Line at 888-337-3569.