Comment

Comment by Tripatini on June 30, 2010 at 11:22am

Visit Pensacola reports that the famous Blue Angels air show is still on for the weekend of July 9-10.

Comment by Tripatini on June 30, 2010 at 11:19am

Alabama's GulfShores.org is reporting a slew of discounts and promotions -- including for July 4th weekend. A random sampling:

Gulf Shores Plantation Resort: Three nights for as little as $471 including taxes & surcharges (25% savings), seven nights from $837.57 (30% savings).

Indies Condos: 35% off all summer bookings.

A Sonshine Place at Romar Lakes Condos: 5-night packages $600, 7 nights $700 (billed as an "oil spill special")

Comment by Ed Wetschler on June 30, 2010 at 8:14am

"MIAMI, June 30 (UPI) -- Hurricane Alex churned through the Gulf of Mexico Wednesday, bearing down on the coastlines of Mexico and Texas, the National Hurricane Center said.

Alex, a Category 1 hurricane, was about 175 miles east of La Pesca, Mexico, and about 235 miles southeast of Brownsville, Texas, moving in a west-northwesterly direction at 7 mph....

Alex, packing sustained winds of 80 mph, [is] forecast to make landfall as a Category 2 hurricane later [today], with destructive winds targeting northeastern Mexico and potentially life-threatening flooding forecast from northeastern Mexico to southern Texas, Accuweather.com reported.

Alex could dump 6- to 12 inches of rain on portions of northern Mexico and southern Texas, with as much as 20 inches in isolated areas, the hurricane center said. The rains could cause flash floods and mudslides, especially in mountainous areas.

The center said a storm surge could raise water levels by as much as 3- to 5 feet along the coast immediately north of where Alex makes landfall. The surge could extend several miles inland, while large, destructive waves were forecast near the coast, the center warned."

Comment by Tripatini on June 29, 2010 at 2:15pm

USA Today, 6/29:

Gulf Coast Tourism Officials Plead for Help
by Bart Jansen, Gannett Washington Bureau

A $500 million marketing campaign will be necessary to combat public perceptions about the Gulf of Mexico oil spill that could ripple for years, tourism officials told congressional staffers Tuesday.

Such a campaign over the next 18 months could help avert economic catastrophe for 1 million Gulf Coast workers who depend on tourism, the officials
from Florida, Louisiana and the U.S. Travel Association told more than 100 staffers. They said they would have specific legislative requests for
assistance within a month.

Money for the campaign would come from the $20 billion fund BP has pledged to finance to cover economic damages from the oil spill. The money will be distributed by a panel that will operate independently of BP and the federal government."

Comment by Tripatini on June 29, 2010 at 1:58pm

Gulf Shores/Orange Beach, Alabama video update for 6/29:

Comment by Tripatini on June 29, 2010 at 1:55pm

From Visit Pensacola FB page this morning 6/29:

David Gray: "Hurricanes outer bands are causing the water to be rough since yesterday. Has washed some oil onshore. But it's not covered, looks like little spots on the sand. I've seen some of the oil mattes and tar balls washing up. We swam in the water on this past Sat. and Sunday without any problems. It's gonna be a hit or miss deal until this is over with."

Comment by Tripatini on June 29, 2010 at 1:52pm

Update from Visit Pensacola today 6/29:

We are all heartbroken and concerned about recent impacts from the Deepwater Horizon incident but rest assured the situation on our beaches remains dynamic. In many instances conditions on the beaches vary broadly, depending on the location, and crews are staged to respond quickly should cleanup be necessary. Our goal is to provide you with the best, most up-to-date and accurate information available to help you plan your vacation. Apart from conditions on the beaches the Pensacola/Perdido Key area offers a wealth of enticements, from history and culture to outstanding seafood and museums, and we have offered great getaways for generations.

Beach conditions:
Gulf waters and beaches east of the Pensacola Bach Fishing Pier remain open and are under no restrictions. The shoreline and water along Santa Rosa Sound on the north side of the island remains clear and open for swimming, as well.

However, a health advisory has been issued for Gulf beach waters west of the Pensacola Beach Fishing Pier. The advisory warns against coming in contact with any oil either in the water or on the beach or with wildlife that has been affected by the oil.

Comment by Tripatini on June 29, 2010 at 1:49pm

From Panama City FB page this afternoon, 6/29:

Sugar Sands Inn & suites "Fishing trips going out everyday in Panama City Beach. Our waters are still clean and open. Check out Capt. Anderson's Marina!"

Comment by Tripatini on June 29, 2010 at 10:20am

From Florida's Emerald Coast FB page this morning 6/29:

Dave Davis: "I walked the beach on Okaloosa Island this morning and we’ll still in good shape—no significant tar balls or oil. I did find a few less than 1/4 " in diameter. Tropical Storm Alex is really kicking up the waves but they should be diminishing as Alex heads westward towards Mexico and South Texas. Should be a great da...y for the surfers. There’s a possibility of Alex bringing in some tar balls in the next day or two. If that happens our clean-up crews are on standby and are very quick in cleaning up any tar balls. Two weeks ago we received some tar balls and the beach was clean by the next day."

Lanette Kemp: "I was just on the beach at Sandestin right before sunset. There are tar balls/tar chips everywhere on the beach and in the water. The resort has placed "foot washing stations" on the boardwalk with signs that say "To protect the quality of our units....." OK, what about the quality of my skin?????? The company we r...ented from won't refund unless the beaches are "closed" and that isn't the same as a "no-swimming notice". Ever want to go to the ocean to sit on the beach and watch cleaning crews????? We are stuck! Thanks BP!"

Comment by Wendy Capra on June 29, 2010 at 9:46am

I'm telling my friends about this group. They've had tickets for a trip to Louisiana for a few months, and they are pretty hysterical not knowing what to do. Maybe this will help calm them down. I KNOW I WOULD STILL GO!!!

• ‹ Previous
• 1
• …
• 27
• 28
• 29
• 30
• 31
• …
• 34
• Next ›
• Page