ARA

Disasters

GULF OIL SPILL

LAST UPDATED AUGUST 30, 2010
On April 20, an explosion on the oil rig, Transocean Deepwater Horizon, 50 miles off the coast of Louisiana released millions of barrels of oil into the Gulf of Mexico. On July 15, the flow stopped, at least temporarily, and efforts to achieve a permanent solution continue. The type of oil leaking from this well is a light sweet crude oil, which is lighter than other types of oils and contains a large amount of gas with few heavy hydrocarbons.

The spill continues to impact Alabama's coastline and businesses. Fishing has been banned in the area of the spill. The spill also is impacting tourism, seafood availability and prices as well as shipping of a myriad of products, among other enterprises.

The governor has issued an emergency declaration and invoked Alabama’s price gouging law, which makes it unlawful for anyone to raise prices on commodities or lodging by more than 25 percent during the declared state of emergency. To avoid violating the price gouging law, figure the price charged for each of the previous 30 days. Add the 30 daily prices, divide by 30, and multiply the price by .25, or 25 percent, to figure the maximum price increase allowed for any one day. The exception is if wholesale prices increase by more than 25 percent and merchants have no choice but to pass along the price increase. The price limits imposed through an emergency declaration apply to rentals of commodities and facilities as well as sales.  

 

 

HOW TO INITIATE A CLAIM

 

The new BP fund, which is being paid in addition to the $368 million already paid, is being managed by the new Gulf Coast Claims Facility (GCCF) headed up by Washington attorney Ken Feinberg. Feinberg is known for handling the 9/11 victims fund as well as setting the executive pay for companies bailed out by the government. The Obama administration and BP worked to establish the GCCF to assist claimants in filing claims for damages and economic losses incurred from the April 20 BP oil spill.

While speaking before congress Feinberg was adamant that claimants will be better off going through Gulf Coast Claims Facility than going through the courts.  Claimants can go to one of 35 Gulf Coast Claims Facility offices set up in Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida. In addition, claimants can apply by mail, or online at www.gulfcoastclaimsfacility.com

You can visit one of the following Alabama locations to submit a claim:

Bayou La Batre, AL
13290 N. Wintzell Avenue
Bayou La Batre, AL 36509
Hours: 8am-7pm CT, Mon.-Sun

 

Dauphin Island, AL 
1008 Alabama Avenue
Dauphin Island, AL 36528
Hours: 8am-7pm CT, Mon.-Sun.


Foley, AL 
1506 North McKenzie Street (Highway 59)
Suite 104
Foley, AL 36535
Hours: 8am-7pm CT, Mon.-Sun.


Gulf Shores, AL 
1709 Gulf Shores Parkway
Gulf Shores, AL 36542
Hours: 8am-7pm CT, Mon.-Sun.


Mobile, AL 
325 East I-65 Service Rd (Beltline Highway)
Suite 1
Mobile, AL 36608
Hours: 8am-7pm CT, Mon.-Sun.


Orange Beach, AL 
24039 Perdido Beach Boulevard
Suite 1
Orange Beach, AL 36561
Hours: 8am-7pm CT, Mon.-Sun.  

 

If you have already pursued claims with BP and are not satisfied with BP's resolution,
contact the U.S. Coast Guard's National Pollution Funds Center at 1-800-280-7118

FOOD AND SEAFOOD SAFETY

Fish and shellfish harvested outside the closed area is considered safe to eat. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrationis is closely monitoring the surface and subsurface movement of petroleum and is expanding the closed area as needed. States also will continue to close harvest waters under their jurisdiction as needed. There is no reason to believe that any contaminated product has made its way to the market. Closing harvest waters which could be exposed to the oil is the best way to protect the public from potentially contaminated seafood, because it keeps the product from entering the food supply. Harvest waters will not re-open until oil from the spill is no longer present and the seafood samples from the area successfully pass both sensory analysis by trained experts and a chemical analysis to ensure there are no harmful oil residues.

 Call 1-888-INFO-FDA with questions or concerns about seafood. 

CDC Health Surveillance in Gulf States

June 14, 2010 U.S. Food and Drug Administration Says No Tainted Seafood in Stores Currently

June 14, 2010 FDA letter to Fish and Fishery Products Industry

HEALTH CONCERNS

There may be risk for human health effects associated with exposure to oil via inhalation, skin/mucous membrane contact and/or ingestion.

Health care providers are encouraged to utilize local Poison Control Centers as well as medical experts at the University of South Alabama and the University of Alabama at Birmingham for treatment guidance.

Poison Control Centers in the Gulf region are taking health-related calls about the oil spill. The Amerian Associaton of Poison Control Centers' National Poison Data System (NPDS), tracks all calls related to the spill, including inhalation of fumes, ingestion of oil and exposure to chemical dispersants.
Providers can contact the Poison Control Center at 1-800 222-1222.

Symptoms reported from excessive exposure to crude oil or dispersants commonly include the following:

  • eye, nose, and throat irritation
  • headache
  • dizziness
  • upset stomach
  • cough or shortness of breath

Skin contamination – crude oil can generally be cleaned off without any lingering effects. The affected skin should be washed with soap and water. Clothing should be laundered in the usual manner. Harsh detergents, solvents, or other chemicals to wash oil from skin or clothing should not be used as they may promote absorption of the oil through the skin.

Ingestion – swallowing crude oil may result in nausea, vomiting and gastrointestinal tract disturbances, particularly in young children. Dangers involve vomiting, then subsequent aspiration into the lungs causing chemical pneumonia. To treat patients with crude oil ingestion exposure, do not induce vomiting.

 Ocular exposure – slight stinging and temporary redness of the eyes can result from exposure to crude oil, however, no permanent damage should occur. The eye should be flushed with water immediately after exposure for approximately 15 minutes.

TRAVEL UPDATES

RECOVERY CENTERS

LEARN MORE:

SEVERE STORMS, TORNADOES AND FLOODING

The president designated Colbert, Franklin and Lauderdate counties as contiguous to a federal disaster area for damages resulting from May 1-2 storms. That designation is effective through Jan. 14, 2011.

President Declares DeKalb and Marshall Counties as Federal Disaster Areas Following April 24-25 Tornadoes

Residents and business owners who sustained losses in the designated counties can apply for assistance through Jan. 1, 2011, by registering online atwww.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) for the hearing and speech impaired. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. (local time).

Returning Low-Interest SBA Loan Applications Key In Recovery Efforts in Dekalb, Marshall And Walker Counties 

 

Emergency Agency Links and Phone Numbers

 

Personal Preparedness

Get 10

Being personally prepared greatly improves your outcome during an emergency situation. The Alabama Department of Health has compiled a list of the 10 items most needed during an emergency. You can find those items linked here and by clicking on the Get 10 logo above.