Will the Gulf Oil Spill reach Fort Lauderdale, Florida?
Is there an exact map of the Gulf Stream concerning the area in question?
What are the chances of the oil spill reaching Fort Lauderdale?
What might be the time line of the oil spill reaching Southeastern Florida?
If the oil made it to Fort Lauderdale would is be sufficiently dissipated or would it make a extreme impact on the coastal environment of Fort Lauderdale area of South Florida?
In a worst case scenario would BP be financially liable for my fallen property value?
Please give complete and thorough information.
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M$6 Answers
The attached map was from USF on May 18--about three weeks ago. Read the article that went with it:
"Mapping the Slick: Oil in Loop Current Threatens Florida Keys and Delicate Coral Reefs"
http://www.onearth.org/node/2142
.
As far as property values go, I'm no attorney, but IF the liability has potential to become a civil class-action suit, let's put it this way: I saw on CNN recently a story discussing liability payouts, and it mentioned that people are still waiting to be fully paid out from the Exxon Valdez spill--21 years after it happened.
One law firm has already seized the opportunity. And apparently it could be a liability, maybe. I am not associated with them in any way. Here's what they say :
"Property Damage Caused By Gulf Oil Spill
You are entitled to claim damages for any injury to property or any economic losses that result from the injury or destruction of property, whether it is land, buildings or other personal property. You do not have to own the property to suffer economic losses from it’s injury or destruction.
For example, if you are a waterfront property owner you can seek compensation for any loss of value that your house has suffered because of the oil spill. These damages are over and above the immediate costs of removing the oil and cleaning up the mess. Filthy beaches and toxic chemical laden air could seriously affect your property’s resale value, as well as it’s ability to create rental income.
A qualified Louisiana (*this apparently didn't get changed from the main page to say "Florida") oil spill lawyer can advise you of the most effective way of seeking damages for the losses you have incurred. That may be through filing your own lawsuit or the best option may be to join a class action lawsuit that has already been started by other waterfront property owners in your area."
I've traveled to Ft. Lauderdale and Broward County fairly regularly for about 17 years. The Sun-Sentinel JUST published this on their website about five hours ago:
"Our honest message is that our coast is clear. Business is up from last year," said Nicki Grossman, president of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Grossman said that if oil did appear on area beaches it could cost Broward County businesses up to $15 million a day.
It's unclear whether South Florida will remain unblemished, as oil continued pouring from the ocean floor, replenishing the rust-colored slicks on the surface of the Gulf. A significant but unknown amount of oil is suspended beneath the surface, at depths of hundreds or thousands of feet. Scientists say these undersea plumes could constitute a significant threat to the state's environment, but they can't say how much oil is there, where it is and where the ocean currents could take it.
The loop current, the ocean pathway that could bring oil from the Gulf to the Keys and up the southeast Florida coast, has been disrupted by eddies, with one pinching off the small amount of oil that had been caught in the current. But scientists say the current eventually will re-establish itself, and that South Florida's reprieve may not last.
"There's still a great amount of uncertainty about pathways of the loop current," said William Johns, professor of oceanography at the University of Miami's Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science. "Even though it looks like the loop current being pinched off may be helping us, there's a tremendous amount of uncertainty. We shouldn't assume it's going to be our savior."
I think you'd have a difficult time with the property value loss unless it's a rental property whose income you're not getting--and even then you'd have to link it directly to the spill. Let's be honest--there may STILL be blue tarps here and there from Hurricane Wilma, and unless they had hurricane insurance, those people had NO recourse--because a hurricane is an "Act of God."
Consult an attorney--I'm not one.
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M$
2. What are the chances of the oil spill reaching Fort Lauderdale?
According to a report by cbs4.com dated May 3, 2010, it was reported that "Scientists say the Gulf oil spill could get into the what's called the Loop Current within a day, eventually carrying oil south along the Florida coast and into the Florida Keys.
3. What might be the time line of the oil spill reaching South Florida?
``It's a matter of about two weeks to get to Miami and another week or so to Cape Hatteras,'' he said. ``Had this blowout been a little farther south, it would be in the loop current already.''
4. If the oil made it to Fort Lauderdale would is be sufficiently dissipated or would it make a extreme impact on the coastal environment of Fort Lauderdale area of South Florida?
"South Florida could see a spate of tar balls at the very least."
5. In a worst case scenario would BP be financially liable for my fallen property value?
According to a statement by whitehouse.gov, it was posted that "the President vowed to “hold BP and any other responsible parties accountable for financial losses borne by the people in the region.”
There were no specifics with regards fallen property value but there are proposals to raise the $75 million dollar cap liability on oil spills to $10 Billion dollars barring questions of constitutionality.
Furthermore, under the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund law which currently has an outstanding reserves of $1.6 Billio, an individual can claim damages for the economic impact caused by the Gulf oil spill, which in your case the fallen property value.
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Excellent answer!
I believe that The Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund was set up to provide compensation for remediation (e.g., removal) on public and private lands, and would not cover loss of value.
It's sad to see the birds covered with oil, and I saw a video today showing that it has already reached Florida.
You should watch your property carefully now.
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the guys comment above me is right they probably wont pay for damages. They are cheapskates
That doesn't mean bp won't have to pay. If Obama and Congress clamps down on bp, unlike Exxon, they'll have to pony up the money a lot faster. But if it's a lawsuit, expect to see appeal after apeal after appeal, and it could go 20 years or longer. The people managing the crisis could be long gone by the time it's settled.
A glimmer of hope: The process is already being streamlined--there are bp claim offices popping up all over The South. A fast look shows a good handful.
Look at the right side of the page at this link for state sites:
http://tinyurl.com/2f8xoqp
Mobile County (Bayou LaBatre) -- Mark Harter, Manager
13290 N. Wintzell Ave – Bayou LaBatre, AL 36509
Mobile County (Mobile) -- Scott Listuon, Manager
325 East I-65 Service Rd. S, Suite 1 – Mobile, AL 36606
Mobile County (Dauphin Island) -- Paul Sonnier Jr., Manager
1008 Alabama Ave – Dauphin Island, AL 36528
Baldwin County, Foley (Orange Beach/Gulf Shores/Bon Secour) -- Kevin Thibodeaux, Manager
1506 North McKenzie St. (Highway 59), Suite 104 – Foley, AL 36535
Baldwin County (Gulf Shores/Orange Beach) -- Mike Barnes, Manager
24039 Perdido Beach Blvd., Suite 1 – Orange Beach, AL 36561
Escambia County (Pensacola) – Kiley Anderson, Manager
3960 W. Navy Blvd., Suite 16/17 – Pensacola, FL 32507
Santa Rosa County (Gulf Breeze) – Ken Mattair, Manager
5668 Gulf Breeze Parkway, Unit B-9 – Gulf Breeze, FL 32563
Okaloosa County (Ft. Walton Beach) – Kyle Heath, Manager
348 SW Miracle Strip Parkway, Suite 13 – Ft. Walton Beach, FL 32548
Walton County (Santa Rose Beach) – Gordon Porter, Manager
5008 US Highway 98W, Unit 6 and 7 – Santa Rose Beach, FL 32459
Bay County (Panama City) – Curtis Wittich, Manager
7938 Front Beach Rd – Panama City Beach, FL 32408
Gulf County (Port St. Joe) – Brion Gregore, Manager
106 Trade Circle, Suite A – Port St. Joe, FL 32456
Franklin County (Apalachicola) – Chuck Mayo, Manager
194 14th St., Suite 105 – Apalachicola, FL 32320
Wakulla County (Crawfordville) – Bubba Brake, Manager
3010 Crawfordville Highway, Suite A and B – Crawfordville, FL 32327
Monroe County (Marathon) – Falin McMellon, Manager
7885 Overseas Highway – Marathon, FL 33050
Monroe County (Key West) – Ray Land, Manager
3706 N. Roosevelt Blvd, Suite H – Key West, FL 33040
Gretna/Belle Chasse
2766 Belle Chasse Highway
Belle Chasse, LA 70037
Venice
41093 Highway LA 23
Boothville, LA 70038
Saint Bernard
1345 Bayou Road
Saint Bernard, LA 70085
Point-A-La-Hache
1553 Highway 15
(Council District 1 office)
Point-A-La-Hache, LA 70082
Grand Isle
3811 LA 1 (Community Center)
Grand Isle, LA 70358
View map
New Orleans East, LA (Orleans Parish)
4375 Michoud Blvd.
New Orleans, LA 70129
Houma, LA (Terrebonne Parish)
Plaza Caillou Shopping Center
814 Grand Caillou Road, Suites 2 and 3
Houma, LA 70363
Cut Off, LA (Lafouche Parish)
Tarpon Heights Shopping Center
16263 E. Main Street, Unit 2
Cut Off, LA 70345
St. Tammany Parish
2040 Gause Blvd., Suite 10
Slidell, LA 70461
Hancock County (Bay St. Louis) – Scott Niolet, Manager
1171 Highway 90 – Bay St. Louis, MS 39520
Harrison County (Biloxi) -- Bryan Skeen, Manager
920 Cedar Lake Rd., Suite K – Biloxi, MS 39532
Jackson County (Pascagoula) – Doug Richardson, Manager
5912 Old Mobile Highway – Pascagoula, MS 39581
**Broward County isn't on that list yet, nor is Miami-Dade County.
Good signs. Aalthough if they've already set up camp in Marathon Key, I'm no expert, but I can't see Miami-Dade County holding out much longer, considering the well's still spitting oil into the water..
If I were Gov. Crist (and BP), I'd take any goofball idea and try it--it can't work any less effectively than what's in place now..Need a reminder?
http://www.bp.com/liveassets/bp_internet/globalbp/globalbp_uk_english/incident_response/STAGING/local_assets/html/Skandi_ROV2.html
the news on cnn, abc, fox 55
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M$You can leave an optional "tip" with Mahalo's virtual currency, Mahalo Dollars. If you are asking a difficult question that might require some research, or if you'd like a wide variety of feedback, a higher tip often leads to more answers to your question.
M$
All the folks that aren't able to go to the coast in Louisiana and Alabama etc will want to go somewhere... Miami is too expensive, so.... Hey FLL is close AND in their price range!!
Suddenly, your escape has become a huge mess of rednecks and "summer refugees." The beaches will be packed the restraunts crowded and no longer fun...
Man, I'd prolly do it just for the peace of mind. Next season, if everything is cool, I'm sure you'll be able to find something comparable. If not cheaper - this thing is going to really effect property (as you said). You may be able to find something even better for cheaper next season!
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**This comment has been updated**
A follow-up for you: if that IS rental property, I heard something on my local news here in St. Louis last night about a family that canceled their Florida vacation plans, lost a non-refundable $1200, deposit and decided to go to South Carolina instead.
Seen on KSDK. You might be able to find it at ksdk.com.
Ah hah...here it is: "Fears of oil washing ashore causes family to lose money on Destin destination and chose another in South Carolina."
http://www.ksdk.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=203597&provider=top
The article is a verbatim transcript of the tiny piece--it was maybe 45 seconds.
And who was it...Pompano or Deerfield ...who rebuilt their pier after Wilma only to have it destroyed again? I want to say it was Pompano, at Atlantic. It was definitely north of Commercial and I'm pretty sure south of 14th Street. that leaves only one: The Pompano.Beach Pier.
I bet those guys will be thrilled if oil gets up there. Let's just hope it doesn't get into the Intracoastal, because if it does, with all those little offshoots, it's stuck in there. Exactly like it getting into the marshes in Louisiana, there's no possible way to get every drop in our lifetime. An opinion.
In fact, PUBLISHED JUST A FEW HOURS AGO, someone in Pensacola who knows a thing or two agrees:
"Less than 4 miles from the opening of the Pensacola Pass, the vital inlet that connects the Gulf with the inland bays, bayous and coves surrounding Pensacola, Howie Hobbs spots something in the water. It is oil."
http://www.theledger.com/article/20100606/NEWS/6065016/1410?Title=Oil-Crisis-Focus-Now-On-Tactics
Read about Broward's emergency contingency plan and hazmat training here:
http://browardnetonline.com/2010/05/oil-spill-enters-the-loop-current-broward-coastal-cities-meet-to-develop-emergency-plan/
http://browardnetonline.com/2010/05/hazmat-training-in-fort-lauderdale-looking-for-the-silver-lining-in-an-oily-black-cloud/
PS, only 10 hoursafter I posted that, Governor Crist is headed to Pensacola to check it out, so it's at least hit "The West Coast."
On May 21, the mayor of Ft. Lauderdale was pretty adamant that it wouldn't:
http://weblogs.sun-sentinel.com/news/politics/broward/blog/2010/05/fort_lauderdale_mayor_blasts_p_1.html
Follow the spill with NOAA here: (current map attached)
http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov/
B{P even set up a special website for Floridians, with all the information you need on how to file a claim, if you need to:
http://www.floridagulfresponse.com/go/site/3059/
THANK YOU! I want to update, as I just found out my son and ex will br down there in a few weeks. It looks entirely unavoidable the stuff will hit Broward County's beaches:
Published 6/9:
"Oil slick spotted 12 miles off Ft Lauderdale coast by yacht captain
Yesterday, a Fort Lauderdale-based yacht captain was boating about 12.5 miles offshore from Port Everglades when he and his passengers noticed the oil slick pictured above. According to the captain, the slick was about a half-mile long. It was unlike anything he had seen in years on the water. He collected a water sample."
http://www.godlikeproductions.com/forum1/message1094667/pg1
reead here too:
http://content.usatoday.com/communities/greenhouse/post/2010/05/gulf-oil-spill-threatens-floridas-everglades-and-other-parks-refuges/1
Better drive Alligator Alley now.
I am going to have to go to Florida.. seems like that statement would mean good times but in this case going to Florida is a far away form a vacation that is possible. I do these things by phone and email usually but the circumstances here require some "in person" attention.
Find out how much oil is really pouring into the Gulf of Mexico :-(
http://www.mahalo.com/answers/disasters/how-many-litres-and-gallons-in-a-barrel-how-much-actual-oil-is-pouring-into-the-gulf-of-mexico