According to officials with the United States Coast Guard, the oil spill created by the accident on the Deepwater Horizon is not expected to impact Santa Rosa County in the next 72 hours, if at all.

Santa Rosa County Division of Emergency Management continues to monitor the situation and will continue to gain the latest information through participation in conference calls with the U.S. Coast Guard and Florida Department of Emergency Management.  County staff are ready to support any needed response including supplying local resources if called upon by the lead responding agency, the U.S. Coast Guard.

A unified, coordinated response continues among federal, state, local and private sector partners to stop the flow of oil and minimize its environmental impact. The Department of Homeland Security states 1,000 total personnel are currently deployed and have used nearly 15,000 gallons of oil dispersant so far. Nearly 50,000 gallons of oily water have been collected. Eleven offshore response vessels, eight skimming boats and multiple aircraft are conducting containment and cleanup operations in the area.  BP, the responsible party, is required to fund the cost of the response and cleanup operations.  The Oil Spill Liability TrusFund, established after the Exxon Valdez incident, is also available to fund cleanups, if needed.

A Web site has been established by the unified command where photos, press releases and fact sheets are available at www.deepwaterhorizonresponse.com. A toll free number has been established to report oiled or injured wildlife. To report affected wildlife, call (866) 557-1401. Individuals are urged not to attempt to help injured or oiled animals, but to report any sightings to the toll free number.