Gulf Coast Oil Spill Staying Away From Shore For Now

As the investigation continues into the oil rig blast that left 11 workers missing & presumed dead, crews are working to clean up the 42,000 gallons of oil per day spilling into the Gulf of Mexico:

Officials determined through weather patterns that the sheen of oil and water, now covering 600 square miles, would remain at least 30 miles from shore for the next three days. But states along the Gulf Coast have been warned to be on alert.

“We have been in contact with all the coastal states,” Rear Adm. Mary E. Landry, the commander of the Eighth Coast Guard District, said at a news conference on Sunday. Emphasizing that the sheen was not estimated to hit shore anytime soon, Admiral Landry said contingency plans were being put in place.

“Everyone is forward-leaning and preparing for coastal impact,” she said.

Louisiana is erecting containment booms around sensitive coastal areas as a precautionary measure.

If the oil reaches shore, it could mean disaster for the people & wildlife that call the Gulf Coast home. We’ll continue keeping a close eye on this story.

For the latest on the Gulf Coast Oil Spill & how you can help, visit NWF.org/OilSpill.

Photo via U.S. Coast Guard