Plans to evacuate Tampa Bay area are in place

Veterans Today ^ | June 23, 2010 | Maryann Tobin

[LibFreeUSA]

As FEMA and other government agencies prepare for what is now being called the worst oil spill disaster in history, plans to evacuate the Tampa Bay area are in place.

The plans would be announced in the event of a controlled burn of surface oil in the Gulf of Mexico, or if wind or other conditions are expected to take toxic fumes through Tampa Bay.

This practice has been used by the US Forestry service, when fire and smoke threaten the health and well being of people.

The elderly and those with respiratory problems would be more susceptible to health risks, in the event of a controlled burn.

Estimates of the rate of BP’s Deepwater Horizon oil spill have varied. Independent scientists now suggest that the true spill rate, before the riser pipe was cut off in June, was between 20,000 and 50,000 barrels a day.

Since the April 20th explosion, which resulted in the sinking of the Deepwater Horizon rig, there have been more than a million gallons of chemicals poured into the Gulf of Mexico in efforts to break up the spill. The chemicals have come under scrutiny because of their own toxic nature.

It is not certain if the massive slick will have to be set on fire near Tampa Bay, but the possibility has not been ruled out.

BP has been using controlled burns as a way to contain the oil spill since the crisis began. Plans to do additional controlled burns around the well site were announced by Coast Guard Admiral Thad Allen at a briefing in early June.

[LibFreeUSA]

OBAMA's GULF SPILL RESPONSE????...

"Yeah right, gotta work harder on that 'golf thing'...

[PGalt]

“The plans would be announced in the event of a controlled burn of surface oil in the Gulf of Mexico, or if wind or other conditions are expected to take toxic fumes through Tampa Bay.”

Music to read this post by...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_sY2rjxq6M

Hey Con-gre$$? Where is that 20B BP document the Barry’$ “This Is Not a Cap” tyrannical branch agreed to? Check$ & Balance$?

[GOPJ]

Oil infusion of the aquifers would be worse.

We've had salt water intrusions before - but not so much as to ruin the water supply. Would oil destroy fresh water - making Florida unlivable?

[GOPJ]

Oil infusion of the aquifers would be worse.

We've had salt water intrusions before - but not so much as to ruin the water supply. Would oil destroy fresh water - making Florida unlivable?

[Wonder Warthog]

The guy second from left in the first picture is Dr. Ed Overton of LSU. PhD Analytical Chemist. Probably the most knowledgable person on the boat about chemicals and their effects (and likewise oil spills and THEIR effects). Note that he is NOT wearing a respirator. So much for all the hoopla about how toxic the air above the spill is.

[MSF BU]

My first thought as well; Tampa relies to some extent on reverse osmosis for drinking water. This could be a MAJOR problem. Meanwhile, however, oil skimmers in Europe that were made available remain idle across the Atlantic.

[Man50D]

I’m sure BO/BS and FEMA will be more than happy to open up FEMA detention centers... er ah I mean shelters to help the good people of Tampa Bay.

[P.O.E.]

What if the burn-off gets out of control?

Worst-case scenario is this thing gushes for decades, so could it possibly burn for decades?

[rarestia]

If oil got into the aquifers, I would guess that our freshwater supply is toast. Florida would become a wasteland.

[driftdiver]

I live in Tampa, its a bit humid (150%) but the only other bad thing in the air is too many bugs.

[blam]

"The guy second from left in the first picture is Dr. Ed Overton of LSU. PhD Analytical Chemist. Probably the most knowledgable person on the boat about chemicals and their effects (and likewise oil spills and THEIR effects). Note that he is NOT wearing a respirator. So much for all the hoopla about how toxic the air above the spill is."

Thanks, I hadn't noticed that.

What I find note worthy is that everyone does have a breathing apparatus with them.

I'm here on the coast and don't have one. I'm beginning to think maybe I should have one available.

[GOPJ]

Do you know if anyone is even looking at the possibility? Florida’s dependent on the system of aquifers - and if they go down - it’s over. South Florida would be uninhabitable...

[MinuteGal]

In the meantime, Florida's turncoat, Obama-loving, fruitcake governor, Charlie Tuna Crisp, is putting no pressure on the president for skimmers or for ANY ACTION AT ALL like Louisiana's Governor Jindal is.

Leni

[driftdiver]

Yep, guess our real estate is getting ready to take another dive.

[SMARTY]

Is it true that in Florida, the aquifers are especially close to the surface?

[Man50D]

I live in Tampa, its a bit humid (150%) but the only other bad thing in the air is too many bugs.?

You don't understand! BO/BS is telling you there is a crisis you can't comprehend so he and the federal government will take care of you! This is not open to debate! They will open up FEMA facilities for all of you to live there will be rules you must follow for your own protection.

[ThePatriotsFlag]

Unless there is a direct pipeline to the aquifer, the fresh water will be safe. The great thing about our earth is its own methodology of self defense. Between the aquifer and the oil is good old mother earth, a wonderful filter for all kinds of bad things. Oil will easily be filtered by the process ... again a natural process already in place. Salt water gets in because anything SOLUBLE in the water (like salt) will penetrate the aquifer. But the oil will be filtered out. It'll make a mess, but the fresh water should be safe.

What I hate is the first sentence of the article: As FEMA and other government agencies prepare for what is now being called the worst oil spill disaster in history, plans to evacuate the Tampa Bay area are in place. FEMA? Who's FEMA ... can anybody name their "director?" And to see a scare "line" like this. Like they're going to see some oil coming ashore and evacuate Tampa Bay ... geez a bunch of media hype. Imagine, if people thought the next day after passage that health care was free, what would those people think if they read this line? This isn't "smoke" and talking about the respiratory problems is just going to line up a bunch of willing clients and sheister lawyers to tap BP's slush fund for "damages." Irresponsible journalism!

[rarestia]

In some parts of the state. Aquifers are fed from freshwater rivers and streams which are fed from the seas. If the seas become polluted, the aquifers, while last in line, will eventually become contaminated as well. Rain also feeds the aquifers, but they’re primarily filled from the freshwater sources.

In places like Weeki Watchee springs, the aquifers are very near to the surface and divers can actually go through limestone cave systems to get into them.

[rarestia]

I’m sure it’s the last thing on their mind. I’ll talk to my cousin. She’s a graduate student at USF and works at SWFWMD.

[GOPJ]

Saltwater intrusion is a major threat to the freshwater resources of the coastal areas in southeastern Florida. There are three primary mechanisms by which saltwater contaminates the freshwater reservoir in the unconfined, surficial aquifers of the region: (1) subsurface movement of seawater (lateral large-scale intrusion), (2) seepage of seawater from tidal canals and streams, and (3) upward movement of connate saltwater (water remaining from the time of deposition) from lower formations due to well-field withdrawals. All three mechanisms are driven by the lowering of freshwater levels in the surficial aquifers. However, the effects of the last two mechanisms (seepage and upward movement) generally are limited to relatively small regions, whereas lateral intrusion affects a much larger region of the aquifers.

http://fl.water.usgs.gov/Miami/online_reports/wri964285/ I'm worried about (3)(3) upward movement of connate saltwater (water remaining from the time of deposition) from lower formations due to well-field withdrawals.