Comment

Comment by Tripatini on July 1, 2010 at 12:11pm

Notes from today's Houston Chronicle 7/1 re Galveston Island:

As Hurricane Alex moves into the northern Gulf of Mexico and heads for landfall near the U.S.-Mexico border, Galvestonians can breath a collective sigh of relief...

Forecasted weather models indicate that Hurricane Alex will bring rain and high tides this week to Galveston Island. By late Friday the rain is expected to be replaced by sunshine, but wave action will continue along the beachfront rewarding area surfers. Galveston's beautiful weather will be back for the holiday weekend.

Coastal Flood Advisory: Currently a coastal flood watch for the upper Texas Coast, including Galveston Island, is in effect. This watch could be upgraded to a warning later tonight. High tides are expected Wednesday morning through Thursday morning. Flooding in low-lying areas could occur along Galveston's West End. City officials are advising drivers to avoid standing water over the next two days.

Surf Conditions: Alex will create significant wave action along Galveston's beachfront. Waves are predicted to be in the six to eight foot range Wednesday morning through Friday. Swimming conditions will be adversely affected."

Comment by Christine Hopkins on July 1, 2010 at 12:06pm

I'm sure that we have plenty of surfers. Here's a link to the webcams in Galveston. http://www.galveston.com/webcams/

Comment by David Paul Appell on July 1, 2010 at 12:05pm

Thanks, Christine! Please keep an eye on Alex for us, too! I imagine the surf must be a bit rougher than usual, at the very least!

Comment by Christine Hopkins on July 1, 2010 at 12:04pm

Story on Houston Chronicle blog.

Comment by Christine Hopkins on July 1, 2010 at 12:02pm

Galveston Island, Texas is still in good shape. Although media has occassionally misreported or people don't understand that the Gulf Coast covers several states.

Comment by Tripatini on July 1, 2010 at 12:00pm

Bulletin as of today 7/1 on Mississippi Gulf Coast web site (Biloxi/Gulfport area):

"Mississippi Gulf Coast Remains Open
All of the Mississippi Gulf Coast beaches and barrier islands are open including Ship Island with excursions running from the Gulfport Small Craft Harbor. Oil has entered the Mississippi Sound. Additional measures are being taken to protect the Mississippi shoreline and harbors and marinas. Mississippi state waters have been closed to fishing and shrimping east of the Gulfport Ship Channel as a precautionary measure due to the presence of oil. Beach advisories have been issued Harrison County and Jackson County."

Comment by Tripatini on July 1, 2010 at 11:55am

Early today 7/1 on Panama City Beach, Florida, FB page:

Brad Stephens "The oil seems to be heading away from Panama City Beach looks like we are gifted another weekend of sugar white sands. Hope everyone makes it down for the 4th celebrations!"

Comment by Tripatini on July 1, 2010 at 11:43am

Today 7/1 in Pensacola News Journal: oil on shore update, plus uncertainty about water safety

"-- Perdido Key had up to 30 percent coverage of tar balls, stain, mousse and sheen.

-- Pensacola Beach had reports of patchy and scattered tar balls covering up to 30 percent of the beach in some areas.

-- An reconnaissance flight reported a six-mile-long area of heavy sheen, streamers and mousse patches floating just offshore from Perdido Pass to Johnson Beach.

-- A nine-mile-long section of similar oil types was floating offshore from Fort Pickens to Portofino."

Also:

"Local officials going by their gut when deciding if beaches OK for swimmers. Despite detailed water-quality tests and daily oil-spotting flights, local officials said a lack of federal guidance is forcing them to "wing it" when deciding if local beaches are safe for swimmers...

'The thing that frustrates public officials is there is no science. ... There is no science that you can use to see exactly when it is unsafe,' said Keith Wilkins, deputy chief of neighborhood and community services for Escambia.

Wilkins said federal health regulations specify maximum allowable levels of dissolved hydrocarbons in things like drinking water, but there are no established limits on what levels are safe for swimming.

Wilkins said the EPA is currently developing standards for safe levels in swimming water, but it has not yet released that information to county governments...

There are several challenges in determining the maximum safe levels of oil in swimming water. One is that some people are more sensitive than others to oil contact. Children are generally more sensitive than adults, and people with respiratory problems can be affected by oil vapor at much lower levels than the general population...

In the meantime, public safety officials at the beach are relying on the more rudimentary method of watching for oil in the water and warning people to avoid swimming when visible oil is present.

'I went swimming on Saturday in the Gulf, and it was fine," W.A. "Buck" Lee, Santa Rosa Island Authority executive director, said Wednesday. 'A day or two later, I might not want to go in there.'"

Comment by Tripatini on July 1, 2010 at 11:04am

Today 7/1 a post on the Tripatini blog focuses on the many attractions that make the Gulf Coast well worth a visit this summer even beyond the beaches.

Comment by Tripatini on July 1, 2010 at 10:40am

From Florida Emerald Coast FB page this morning 7/1:

Islander Condo "Angry seas and skies at the Destin Islander ....Call for our last minute weekend specials for the 4 th. 1-800-477-8837"

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