Gulf Oil Spill Update, Thursday, May 6, 9:00 a.m.

I want to reassure everyone the beaches are still the beautiful white sandy beaches you have always known.  Our amazing wildlife is flourishing all around and the little ones are starting to peek their heads out, everywhere we turn!  It is a great time to be at the beach, small, to no crowds and perfect weather!  Below are some answers to some of our most often asked questions, lately.  I have also included the daily update for the Gulf Shores.com website about our local area. 

Lance LeFleur, Director of the Alabama Department of Environmental Management:

 There is an Area Contingency Plan (ACP)(https://ocean.floridamarine.org/acp/mobacp/) created for these kinds of situations that has been vetted by all agencies involved (which is now being followed).

 At the wellhead, they are injecting dispersants at depth, causing the oil slick to break up into small oil droplets that are rapidly diluted and subsequently biodegraded by micro-organisms occurring naturally in the marine environment.  Exposure to air, sunlight, & wave action also degrades the oil. They are also restarting the in situ burning today.

 There is a two-stage protective process planned for the shorelines – shallow water skimmers & booms to catch what they miss. The booms  are being tended and repositioned as needed – the placement is determined by the ACP. The highest priority at this moment is to close off Mobile & Perdido Bay entrances. The port of Mobile will remain open, using a decontamination process for ships entering the area (there will also be a decontamination station at Weeks Bay).

 Once the bays are protected, all resources will be focused on the beaches. So far, 7,000 volunteers have called the 1-866 number & BP will donate hourly wages for those volunteers to their chosen volunteer organizations.   

Below is the update from the Convention and Visitor’s Breaue

  • There are currently no effects of the oil spill on the beaches of Gulf Shores & Orange Beach and, according to NOAA forecasts, no shoreline impact is expected for at least 72 hours. Forecasts beyond 72 hours are not possible. At this point, the extent of any potential impact is unclear.
  • Although NOAA has closed commercial and recreational fishing in a limited area between the mouth of the Mississippi River and Florida’s Pensacola Bay, there is large area of the gulf still open. Charter boats are leaving Orange Beach, Gulf Shores & Fort Morgan every day to fish areas up to 20 miles out and in our very plentiful inshore waters.
  • All appropriate preventive measures, including oil-absorbing booms, are being used along Alabama’s beaches, bays, inlets and sensitive areas in an effort to prevent oil from reaching the shores. Officials are optimistic that any impact directly on the beaches can potentially be cleaned effectively and fairly quickly.
  • National, state and local response teams are deployed at sites along the coast to deal with local effects.
  • Official information pertinent to our local area is being posted here. This is confirmedinformation provided by the Unified Command response team (Coast Guard, Homeland Security, NOAA, Department of the Interior, BP and Transocean) and local emergency management officials. For detailed information about the entire incident visit www.deepwaterhorizonresponse.com and response.restoration.noaa.gov.

Oil Updates 05/05/2010

No Oil Impact in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach
Like everyone in our area we are closely monitoring the oil spill off the coast of Louisiana via official sources locally and at the incident site. To date, our beaches have not been impacted by the spill. They are as gorgeous and sparkling white as ever. We wish we could answer all your questions and predict what will happen in the coming weeks, but all we can do is continue to update you on the facts as they stand today:Take a look at https://www.weartv.com/ for the most current local forecast and news on how the oil is impacting our area.

  • Currently no oil has reached the beaches of Gulf Shores & Orange Beach and, according to NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) forecasts, no shoreline impact is expected for at least 72 hours. Forecasts beyond 72 hours are not possible.
  • Although NOAA has closed commercial and recreational fishing in a limited area between the mouth of the Mississippi River and Florida’s Pensacola Bay, there is large area of the gulf still open. Charter boats are leaving Orange Beach, Gulf Shores & Fort Morgan every day to fish areas up to 20 miles out and in our very plentiful inshore waters.
  • Under directive of Governor Bob Riley protective measures, including oil-absorbing booms, continue to be placed along Alabama’s beaches, bays and inlets in an effort to prevent oil from reaching our shores. Officials are optimistic that any direct impact to beaches can potentially be cleaned effectively and fairly quickly.
  • If you have questions about upcoming reservations, please contact your rental management company or hotel/motel directly.

Oil spill information for 05/3 & 05/04

Oil Spill Information

 
05/03/10 1pm – Gulf of Mexico Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Update

Monday, May 03, 2010

Gulf of Mexico Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Update
Dated: 5/3/10 at 1:00 p.m.

Jeff Amy in an article on AL.com quoted Governor Bob Riley that no landfall was expected in Alabama through at least Wednesday evening.
In other good news the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) projections showed that the part of the oil slick that extended east from Mobile Bay toward Pensacola would break up by this morning (Monday, May 3, 2010).
“The entire eastern portion of the sheen seems to have disappeared,” said Phil Woods of the Alabama Department of Environmental Management. “It’s breaking down rapidly. The solids that remain are emulsified. And while they are going to be hard to deal with, we’re not going to have black beaches.”
The wind will swing to the due south, pushing the oil more toward Mississippi and Alabama. Seas are predicted to calm tonight and stay that way the rest of the week, allowing boats to try to skim the oil and more effectively lay boom.

1.) There currently is no impact from the oil spill on the beaches of Gulf Shores & Orange Beach and, according to NOAA forecasts, no shoreline impact is expected for at least 72 hours. At this point, the extent of any potential impact is unclear.

2.) NOAA is closing commercial and recreational fishing in federal waters between the mouth of the Mississippi River to Florida’s Pensacola Bay. The closure begins immediately and is in effect for at least 10 days. However, fishing is open in waters up to 20 miles out in the Gulf and our inshore waters and charter boats are still going out from Orange Beach.

3.) Governor Bob Riley has committed to placing preventive measures, including oil-absorbing booms, along Alabama’s beaches, at the mouths of bays and inlets, and in sensitive areas all along the coast in an effort to prevent oil from reaching the shores. Officials are optimistic that any impact directly on the beaches can potentially be cleaned effectively and fairly quickly.

4.) National, state and local response teams are deployed at sites along the coast to deal with local effects.

5.) Official information pertinent to our local area is being posted at gulfshores.com. Click the yellow “Oil Spill” link at the top of the page. This is the most recent confirmed information provided by the unified response team (Coast Guard, Homeland Security, NOAA, Department of the Interior, BP and Transocean) and local emergency management officials. For detailed information about the entire incident visit https://www.deepwaterhorizonresponse.com/go/doc/2931/530631 or https://response.restoration.noaa.gov/.

6.) We will continue to monitor the incident and post information updates at gulfshores.com (click the yellow link at the top of the page) as they become available.

*Additional resources for Industry Partners and residents

1.) BP is now accepting claims for the Gulf Coast oil spill. Please call BP’s helpline at 1-800-440-0858. A BP fact sheet with additional information is available on the Deepwater Response website. Those who have already pursued the BP claims process and are not satisfied with BP’s resolution can call the Coast Guard at 1-800-280-7118. More information about what types of damages are eligible for compensation under the Oil Pollution Act as well as guidance on procedures to seek that compensation can be found at https://www.uscg.mil/npfc.

2.) We appreciate the tremendous outpouring of concern for Alabama’s coast. Volunteers are asked not to self-deploy at this time. Those with an interest in volunteering should the need arise, are asked to contact volunteer banks by dialing 2-1-1 or 888-421-1266. They can also contact the Mobile Bay National Estuary Program at 251-431-6409 or mbnep@mobilebaynep.com with the following information: name, address, phone, email and resources (boat, kayak, etc.). Please be patient while volunteer needs and training opportunities are determined.

3.) A toll-free number (866-557-1401) has been established to report oiled or injured wildlife. People are urged not to attempt to help injured or oil animals, but to report any sightings via the toll-free number.

4.) The Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) has prepared some precautions to be aware of and they can be found on their website. ADPH has NOT issued any advisories at this point.

Local Up Date on Gulf Oil Spill

April 27, 2010

Local update on gulf oil spillThe CVB is monitoring official channels of information about the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Following, are the most recently updated talking points we have provided to our staff. We encourage you to pass them along to your staff or anyone fielding questions about the oil spill.We will continue to post updates as they become available.

1) There is no shoreline impact anywhere along the Gulf of Mexico, nor is any forecast for at least the next 72 hours. There is no official forecast beyond 72 hours.

2) State-of-the-art equipment is in place to respond if there is any movement toward any area of shoreline along the Gulf Coast. Local officials have their own coordinated response plan in place IF needed for the Gulf Shores & Orange Beach area.

3) We will continue to monitor the incident and post information IF coastal impact becomes an issue…

Come play on the white sandy beaches, but beware!!!

One of the unique things about staying on the Gulf Coast, is the white sand on our beaches.  This stunning white sand is composed of quartz and is highly reflective.  Be sure to wear your sunscreen even on overcast days.  The sun will burn you under an umbrella by reflecting off of the sand.

Of course the sand makes a beautiful back drop for photos and weddings.  You can build excellent sandcastles and it is easy to pick out the wide variety of seashells  from the white sand.

Did you know that the sand is also extremely easy to get stuck in????  We see literally hundreds of cars, each year, stuck in the sand.  So this is a heads up guys,  Don’t pull off of the road!!!!  Don’t pull down sandy driveways, or turn around off of a paved road on to sand.  The only way these maneuvers are possible is with a 4 wheel-drive and I have seen several of those buried up to their axle too.

I’ve been told the sand on this part of the island is shaped a little different than on other parts or the coast.  Because so many rivers exit out into our bays and off of the coast much of the sand gets smoothed just like a river stone.

Come and enjoy your beautiful sunny vacation, but beware of that sinking sand!!!!

Rental By Owner or from a Rental Company????

We often get questions about the advantages of renting from a rental company verses from an owner directly.  Well,  both have their advantages.  Speaking from the rental company side the advantages we see come from the problems people who rent from owner mention to us as they come through.  We are here on site if there is a problem big or small we are here to help!  If you have to change rooms for some reason, say a leak, we have a large selection of properties to offer you in place of the problem room.  A rental company is just a phone call or a few steps away, where as most rental by owners are a phone call away but often in another state with just a cleaner to help you with problems.  Having a rental company  is handy for information, or if you happen to lock yourself out, or just the strange emergencies that come up.  We have people stop for everything from resturant suggestions and clogged disposals  to Jellyfish stings, and missing bottle openers.  The nice part about a rental company is they have a staff of people close by to help with any and all problems.  Because of the large stock of condos we can often match or beat the pricing of a Rental by owner and provide additional service that guests want and need to make their stay worry free!!!!

10 Tips for Planning your Beach Wedding

It is that time of year again, I talk to a new Bride to be every week.  They are all so very excited and looking forward to the warm days on the beach with friends and family, celebrating their marriage.  I have found that everyone in the planning stages of a wedding run into the same problems.  I wanted to give you a few pointers, from my experience over the last few years with brides, that will help you breeze your way through the rough planning stages. 

1.  Try to avoid a Saturday wedding!  I know Saturday is an easy day for travel but it is a crazy day to try and get in a beach house for a wedding.  Most beach houses rent from Saturday to Saturday during the Spring and Summer months.  So you would either be checking in or checking out the day of your wedding, unless the house was booked for 2 weeks, which is often cost prohibitive during the summer months. 

2.  Be prepared to rent a house for an entire week.  Again during the Spring and Summer months most houses only rent for a week at a time so be prepared for that full week rental. 

3.  Consider picking a date that is off peak season, such as early May or after Labor Day in September, or October.  Usually the weather is better during those months, not so hot, and the rental rates are lower for you and your guests. 

4.  See if the company you are renting with has any wedding packages or specials available.  Often companies will give a little discount for everyone in the group if you rent multiple properties.  They have rentals and you and your guests get a discount.  Everyone wins!!!

5.  Remember the temperature and humidity when picking our your attire.  It can be well above 90 even at sunset in the summer months with 100% humidity and no sign of rain till after dark.  Large satin dresses and tuxedos will make for a very warm evening!!!

6.   Shoes!  Certainly check out the beach in person before you tell your guests that shoes are optional.   Most beaches are better to walk on barefoot and not fill your best shoes, and reception with sand.

7.  Allow for the elements!  You are having an outside wedding, it could rain.  See if the house would allow you to have the wedding indoors, or have an alternate location for your ceremony.    Be sure to let your guests know where that will be and have a plan to get the word to them of the venue change.   Also, Because of the wind and wave noises music is difficult to hear at a beach wedding.   You have a couple of choices running a long extension cord and playing recorded music, or having live music which is beautiful but the salt air and sand can make a difference in the sound of their instruments.

8.   Have a helper!  Destination weddings are tricky, trying to plan everything from a distance.  A trusted friend or wedding planner is always helpful, so you are not dealing with every little detail the day of your wedding.  If you do ask a friend for help be sure to thank him or her with some down time to enjoy the trip too, maybe a massage or a nice dinner out away from the wedding. 

9.  Beaches are considered a National Treasure and should be treated as such.   Remember you are going to someone elses home to get married.  The locals of the area take a lot of pride in their beaches and will not welcome you and your guests destroying local plant life to get the perfect picture or littering by accident.  Remind your guests where they are going and that you want to leave it as beautiful as you found it.  Be sure to ask about local rules or fees for beach use and about overflow parking!!!  If you are getting married in a small closed community maybe make a donation to beach restoration in that area.  It is a great way to leave a positive mark on a beach that means so much to the two of you. 

10.  Finally,  even if you are not on an island the locals are probably on Island time.  Everyone works really hard and want you to have a beautiful meaningful ceremony in a timely manner, but they most likely will not get stressed out or run to get anything done for you no matter what you pay.   They have been here and done this many times and know what it takes to get the job done.   Take a lesson from them, take a deep breath, know your wedding will be amazing, and relax you’re at the beach!

Alabama’s Coastal Connection

One of the newest additions to the National Scenic Byways Program is the Alabama Coastal Connection.  The Scenic Byways Program is a part of the Federal Highway Administration and the Department of Transportation.  The program is an collaborative effort to preserve selected roads throughout the US.  The selected roads run through protected areas or areas that are specifically American in their nature.  These roads must be described by at least one of the following; archaeological, cultural, historic, natural, recreational and scenic qualities (www.byways.com/org).

The Alabama Coastal Connection has all of these qualities and is right in our back yard, Literally!!!  This trail begins ins Bayou La Batre a beautiful historic fishing village, where you can get some of the freshest seafood in amazing local restaurants.  The trail continues on to Dauphin Island where you can again get wonderful seafood and enjoy the history of Ft. Gains, here you can also walk the Audubon birding trail and take a tour through the Dauphin Island Sea Lab Estuarium.  The Sea Lab is a favorite of our guests as it is a fun place to get hands on education for adults and kids alike on our local wildlife.  From Dauphin Island you catch the Mobile Bay Ferry over to Ft. Morgan where you can enjoy a tour of the fort.  The most popular tour is done by candle light!  From here you are minutes away from Sunset Properties and the beautiful beaches of Fort Morgan.  The beautiful beaches of Ft. Morgan are quiet and secluded right at the end of the island.  Fort Morgan is a great place to split your trip on the Coastal Connection and rest for the night. 

From the Ft. Morgan beaches the trail continues on into Gulf Shores down Hwy 59 where you pass great shopping and restaurants on through to Foley.  Once in Foley you travel west on Highway 98 to Fairhope another beautiful town with shopping, outstanding dining, wildlife around every turn, and history at your fingertips.  

You can travel the coastal connection in one day but we recommend and extended trip to take in all of the great food, nature, culture, and history as you travel this beautiful byway.  What a great way to relax and really get to know an area.  Hope to see you soon.