Information on Oil Spill affecting Florida

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – June 4, 2010 – Preparation is key now for home, business and environment. The following Florida resources offer guidance or direct help.

Landfall predictions

Projections from NOAA indicate weathered oil from the leading edge of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill could impact the Florida Panhandle as early as this week due to a shift in winds and currents.Any impact to Florida's shoreline will likely be highly weathered – tar balls, oil sheen, tar mats or mousse, a pudding-like oil/water mixture that could be brown, rust or orange in color.

• The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is tracking the oil spill's movement. For an update, visit the NOAA website at: http://www.noaa.gov
• If you spot oil on Florida's coastline report it to the State Warning Point at 1 (877) 2- SAVE-FL (1-877-272-8335) or dial #DEP from most cell phones.

Onsite actions

A single website was created to coordinate federal efforts as well as BP initiatives: http://www.deepwaterhorizonresponse.com

State and federal actions

• The State Emergency Operations Center remains activated at a Level 2 or partial activation.
• Governor Charlie Crist has issued three Executive Orders since April 30, 2010, declaring a state of emergency in 26 coastal counties that may see impacts. To read the Executive Orders, visit: http://www.dep.state.fl.us/deepwaterhorizon/default.htm#auth
• BP has opened claims offices in Florida. Visit the BP Claims Page toget addresses, phone numbers and to learn more: http://www.dep.state.fl.us/deepwaterhorizon/claims.htm

• On May 18, 2010, the Small Business Administration (SBA) opened eight offices in the Panhandle. To date, these offices have issued a total of 150 loan applications. Find an office (PDF format) at: http://www.dep.state.fl.us/deepwaterhorizon/files/small_business_admin.pdf

• The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) conducted water and sediment sampling to use as a baseline for monitoring air quality data should it be affected by the oil spill. Read the reports and get updates as released at: http://www.epa.gov/bpspill

Health effects

There are no indications of any health risks due to the Deepwater Horizon incident so far. The Department of Health and DEP are monitoring health and environmental impacts to Florida's beaches and will notice an advisory if conditions become unsafe. To read more about the possible health effects from oil, go to (PDF): http://www.dep.state.fl.us/deepwaterhorizon/files/faq_doh_051010.pdf

Fishing and seafood

• NOAA extended the boundaries of the closed fishing area in the Gulf of Mexico to the state water line in Alabama and the western tip of Florida's Panhandle. The federal closure does not currently apply to any of Florida's waters, and it's called a precautionary measure. For the latest update, check the Deepwater Horizon website at: http://www.deepwaterhorizonresponse.com. Scroll to "Current Ops" at the top and click on "Fish and Wildlife Report."
• Fishermen who wish to contact BP about a claim should call (800) 440-0858.
• Report oiled wildlife to the Wildlife Distress Hotline at (866) 557-1401. For the safety of the public as well as the safety of animals, trained responders should conduct rescues.

Tourism

• Florida's tourism website, www.VISITFLORIDA.com, posts up-to-the-minute information on the status of any city or region in Florida. Vacationers may also view live Twitter feeds of any changes. Learn more at: http://www.visitflorida.com/florida_travel_advisory/.
• The Florida State Parks have not felt any effect, but updates on closings, if any, will be posted on their website: http://www.floridastateparks.org. Visitors can also get updates by calling 1 (850) 245-2157.

Tips for homeowners

• Coastal homeowners have inundated the state with calls about what they can do to protect their property. The state has offered suggestions on what is allowed and what to avoid in a single (PDF) file: http://www.dep.state.fl.us/deepwaterhorizon/files/protect_shoreline_tips.pdf

Tips for businesses and consumers

• The Attorney General's fraud hotline is open to receive reports of fraud or price gouging by individuals or companies trying to take advantage of the Gulf oil crisis. Call the hotline at: 1 (866) 966-7226.
• The Florida Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner gas price-gouging hotline is also operational. The toll-free hotline number is: 1 (800) HELP-FLA (1-800- 435-7352).
• Coastal businesses should keep good records and make loss of earnings claims for damages incurred as a result of the oil spill. Businesses should file a claim with BP by calling 1 (800) 440- 0858. Learn more at http://www.myfloridacfo.com/oilspill/default.htm or by calling 1 (850) 413-3089 or toll-free at 1 (877) MY-FL-CFO (1-877-693-5236).

Volunteer opportunities

• The Governor's Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service is encouraging Floridians and visitors to become a Coast Watch volunteer. To help or to get more information about scheduled beach cleanups and other volunteer opportunities at: www.volunteerfloridadisaster.org.
• BP established a volunteer program and set up a toll-free number for those interested in volunteering. Learn more by calling BP's community information line at 1 (866) 448-5816.

Learn more about Florida's response

• DEP launched a Twitter account, www.Twitter.com/FLDEPalert, dedicated to providing updates on Florida's response to the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill.
• For a list of Unified Command, BP and Florida phone numbers, visit http://www.dep.state.fl.us/deepwaterhorizon/default.htm#numbers
• 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. Additional phone numbers have also been established for persons with disabilities: (800) 955-8771 (TDD) or (800) 955-8770 (voice).

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