• Report tar or oiled debris on the beach 1-877-389-8932 or #DEP from a cell phone.
• DO NOT TOUCH oiled or injured wildlife. Report your finding to 1-866-557-1401.
• Oil Impact Notice

• Tropical Depression #3 forms in the Caribbean
  • Maximum sustained winds remain at 35 miles per hour. A reconnaissance plane is currently approaching the depression and will determine if the system has become a tropical storm. Winds are already impacting portions of the southeastern Bahamas. Tropical storm conditions will spread over the central and northwestern Bahamas tonight and Friday. Escambia County Emergency Management Officials are monitoring the storm.
• Governor Crist requests extension of Florida’s Red Snapper season
  • Governor Charlie Crist sent a letter to Dr. Jane Lubchenco, Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, requesting expedited action regarding the extension of Florida’s red snapper fishing season. (Letter)
• NOAA to Re-open One-Third of Closed Gulf Fishing Area
  • NOAA will re-open 26,388 square miles of the Gulf waters to commercial and recreational fishing at 5:00 p.m. today. The reopening of a third of the overall closed area was announced after consultation with FDA and under a re-opening protocol agreed to by NOAA, the FDA and the Gulf states.  Since mid-June, NOAA data has shown no oil in the area, and United States Coast Guard observers flying over the area in last 30 days have not observed any oil. Additionally, trajectory models show the area is at a low risk for future exposure to oil, and fish caught in the area and tested by NOAA experts have shown no signs of contamination. (More information).
• NOAA Oil Fact Sheet
  • NOAA has prepared a fact sheet of frequently asked questions relating to hurricanes and the oil spill (Full document). 
• Potential Tropical Activity in the Gulf Results in Temporary Removal of Boom
  • U.S. Coast Guard Rear Admiral Paul Zukunft, federal on-scene commander, sent a letter to Escambia County Commissioners Wednesday informing them of storm preparations which include relocating resources and pulling deployed boom in advance of the possible approaching storm.
  • Unified Command began removing tier one and tier two booming from Escambia and Santa Rosa County waterways on Wednesday.  According to the branch 1 situation an additional 29,750 feet of boom was removed today.  Bringing the total boom removed to 39,350 feet. Questions on tier one & two boom removal should be directed to the Joint Information Center at Unified Command in Mobile, Alabama, at (251) 445-8965.
    • Escambia Division 1
      • Began removal of boom in Big Lagoon (13,800')
      • Began removal of boom at Bayou Garcon (1,050')
      • Began removal of boom at Innerarity Point (2,400')
      • Began removal of boom in Tarkiln Bayou (1,400')
      • Began removal of boom in Ft. Pickens (4,200')
    • Escambia Division 2
      • Began removal of boom at Florida Natural Scenic Trail (1,200')
      • Began removal of boom at Garcon Point (2500')
    • Escambia Division 3
      • Began removal of boom at Oyster Bar Catfish Basin (12,500')
  • The State Emergency Response Team, in coordination with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), also announced the removal of supplemental tier three boom within the next 72 to 96 hours in the Panhandle counties. The removed boom and associated equipment will be temporarily stored in a secure location to protect it from weather-related damage and to also protect fragile coastline from impacts caused by dislodged boom. Following the tropical activity, should further oil spill impacts be projected, officials will redeploy the boom. Questions on tier three boom removal should be directed to the Florida Division of Emergency Management, Public Information Office at (850) 921-0217.
    • Pensacola Bay Area Boom Removal
      • Range Point
      • Bayou Texar
      • Bayou Chico North
      • Bruce Beach Marsh
      • Bayou Grande
      • Davenport Bayou
      • Palafox Pier (in process)
      • Star Lake (in process)
      • Bayou Chico West (in process)
    • Perdido Bay Area
      • ICW at Innerarity
      • Kees Bayou
      • Russell Bayou
      • Innerarity Estuary
    • Prior to the temporary boom removal, the state of Florida reported there was 761,261 feet of oil containment boom deployed in Florida waterways.  Tier one and two: 445,000 feet.  Tier three:  316,261 feet.
• BP claims in Florida now total 32,454 with approximately $43,792,664.22 reimbursements paid.
• Escambia County beaches are open.
• Escambia County staff continues to monitor the approaching storm and oil spill situation.

• If you see a tar ball on the beach, DO NOT PICK IT UP. Report it to 1-877-389-8932.
• The Escambia County Health Department offers advice to residents experiencing symptoms from odors associated with the oil spill. (See details at www.escambiahealth.com.)
• Florida Department of Health Deepwater Horizon Health Information FAQs.
• Seafood Consumption FAQs.

Wildlife

• Do not attempt to rescue oiled or injured birds or wildlife as this may cause additional injuries.
• If oiled, injured or dead wildlife are found, call 1-866-557-1401. Provide location where the wildlife was sighted.

Boats

• Boats should keep a safe distance from the booms. Do not drive boats over booms.
• Do not drive boats through slicks or sheens.

Personal Safety

• Gulf coast residents may detect an odor because of the oil spill. Some are more sensitive to these odors and may experience nasal irritation and feelings of nausea. In combination with seasonal allergies or pre-existing respiratory conditions, some may experience more severe symptoms. For Air Quality Reports, see http://www.epa.gov/bpspill/air.html.
• Individuals who have pre-existing medical conditions, such as asthma or other respiratory illness should contact their health care provider if feeling symptomatic.
• If you see or smell oil, leave immediately. Avoid skin contact with oil or oil-contaminated water. Do not swim or ski in areas affected by oil, and if you travel through the area by boat, take care when hoisting the anchor. Restrict pets from entering oil-contaminated areas. If you get oil on your skin, wash it off with soap and water. Young children, pregnant women, people with compromised immune systems, and individuals with underlying respiratory conditions should avoid the area.      
• Do not fish in the oil spill-affected waters. Do not harvest and eat dead fish, fish with oily residue or fish that have a petroleum odor.

Important Phone Numbers For Citizens

• Report oil on the beach or shoreline: 1-877-389-8932 or #DEP from a cell phone
• To report oiled wildlife: 1-866-557-1401
• BP Claims: 1-800-440-0858
• To report damaged, vandalized, adrift or stolen boom: 1-866-448-5816 or 1-800-320-0519
• Escambia County Citizen's Information Line: 471-6600
• Florida Oil Spill Information Line: 1-888-337-3569