What’s the Latest on the Sanibel and Captiva Oil Spill?

What are the latest developments on the Sanibel and Captiva oil spill? We all know by now of the oil spill on the Gulf Coast. How is this disaster affecting the Sanibel Island and Captiva area? The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) recently stated that there is a very low possibility of oil from the major spill area reaching the beaches of Sanibel and Captiva.

This island area is found on the southwest coast of Florida. NOAA reports that that probability of oil reaching the destination is less than 1%, and less than 20% for the west coast of Florida. Furthermore, if Sanibel and oil spill damage did eventually meet, by that time the oil would have degraded and dispersed considerably.

If the oil ever does reach the region, it will not appear in the form of a large “Sanibel oil slick.” Instead, it would be in the form of scattered tar balls. NOAA reports that no oil damage is apparent as of July 2010. However, the notoriety of the BP disaster has scared some tourists away from the area. The city of Sanibel stands to lose millions of dollars in tourism for no reason other than paranoia. The beaches are currently safe and there is no sign of any oil near the coastal area, let alone any evidence of danger. The Florida Division of Emergency Management also stated that it does not expect the oil spill to affect the Sanibel or Captiva or Fort Myers area for the next month—and possibly far beyond that. Furthermore, the National Wildlife Refuge on Sanibel Island also states that no refuge waters have been affected.

The idea of a Sanibel oil leak is indeed intimidating. Rest assured however that if and when oil damage becomes evident, the city will update tourists, vacationers and residents. For more information, visit the official website of Sanibel or NOAA.