Officials scale back response

The Florida State Emergency Operations Center has transitioned to a Level 2 response, which entails partial activation in response to the Deepwater Horizon incident in the Gulf of Mexico.

Previously, the State was operating at Level 1.

“Due to the success of the static kill operation and the progress toward a permanent well-kill, the threat of heavy impact to the state of Florida is significantly reduced,” said David Halstead, director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management. “While the State Emergency Operations Center has transitioned to a Level 2, the State Emergency Response Team remains focused on protecting Florida’s businesses, residents, visitors, and communities from any oil remaining in the Gulf of Mexico.”

State emergency management officials said they will continue to coordinate with federal, state and local partners to ensure that any further impacts to Florida’s coastline are quickly responded to and cleaned up.