Although National Weather Service reports predicted strong winds, high tides and high waves through Sunday that might delay the arrival of the bulk of oil slick on the Gulf Coast, some say the weather may actually push oil deep into the inlets, ponds and lakes in southeast Louisiana.
Crews may be unable to effectively collect or eliminate oil because of the weather, and high waves may wash over yellow and orange collector booms strung out just off shorelines to stop the oil. Oil from the massive BP spill in the Gulf of Mexico is already oozing into the area's ecologically rich wetlands Friday as storms threatened to frustrate desperate protection efforts.
The oil slick will likely become the nation's worst environmental disaster in history, threatening hundreds of species of fish, birds and other wildlife along the Gulf Coast, one of the world's richest seafood areas.
When oil collects on birds' feathers, they have no natural insulation and limited movement. Worse, when they preen, they swallow the oil they've removed from their feathers. Oil swallowed by animals can cause anemia, hemorrhaging and other problems, said officials. And long contact with sensitive areas of the birds' bodies can cause burns and other problems.
The slick that's spewing about 210,000 gallons a day is a result of an oil well drilled by Deepwater Horizon, which exploded in flames April 20 and sank two days later. BP was operating the rig that was owned by Transocean Ltd.
Once the oil fully hits the coastline millions of lives will be affected. Should you be one of the unlucky victims, your rights can be protected via experts. The Doan Law Firm specializes in corporate negligence and personal injury litigation. For answers on your rights, contact the Doan Law Firm at 1 Riverway, Suite 1700, Houston, TX 77056. Phone: (713) 869-4747 or (800) 910-FIRM.