Volunteer crews work to clean beach before oil lands

In preparing for the worst disaster since Hurricane Ivan, emergency volunteer crews organized a massive clean-up effort of Navarre Beach early Saturday morning, hoping to minimize any damage caused by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.

Officials anticipate seeing the impact of the oil rig collapse sometime on Monday, May 3, with Escambia County to be affected first.

On Friday, Gov. Charlie Crist declared a state of emergency for the west coast of Florida. Locally, Santa Rosa County Commission Chairman Gordin Goodin enacted a local state of emergency, allowing the county to implement proactive measures as needed.

Goodin will be speaking at several emergency homeowners association meetings today to discuss the county's plan of action and address any questions.

Navarre Press will post more information as it becomes available.

For More Information

www.santarosa.fl.gov

Please monitor your home weather radio and local media outlets for the most up-to-date information.

Your best defense in any disaster is a NOAA Weather radio.

Citizens can sign up to automatically receive breaking news alerts from Santa Rosa County Emergency Management via e-mail or as a text message on their cell phone at:  www.santarosa.fl.gov/emergency/publicwarning.html.

Citizen Information Line

The Citizens Information Line will be open Saturday and Sunday, May 1 & 2 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Citizens may call (850) 983-INFO (4636) with questions.