USA: Thick clumps of oil debris litter Alabama's Orange Beach as beachgoers anticipate President Obama's upcoming visit to Gulf Coast

Record ID: 343895

  • Title: USA: Thick clumps of oil debris litter Alabama's Orange Beach as beachgoers anticipate President Obama's upcoming visit to Gulf Coast
  • Date: 14th June 2010
  • Summary: ORANGE BEACH, ALABAMA, UNITED STATES (JUNE 13, 2010) (REUTERS) WAVES WASHING TAR BALLS ONTO BEACH CLEAN UP WORKERS PICKING UP TAR BALLS TAR BALLS ON BEACH VARIOUS OF CLEAN UP WORKERS RAKING TAR BALLS OUT OF A TIDAL POOL (3 SHOTS) CLEAN UP WORKERS RESTING IN TENT NEXT TO EMPTY BEACH CHAIRS BEACH WARNING SIGN READING: "THE PUBLIC IS ADVISED NOT TO SWIM IN THESE WATERS
  • Embargoed: 29th June 2010 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Usa
  • Country: USA
  • Topics: Disasters / Accidents / Natural catastrophes,Domestic Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVAA17T2I2W2Z9I8FZLIS5Z9JM0U
  • Story Text: Heavily concentrated clumps of oil debris from the gushing Gulf of Mexico leak littered the sands of Alabama's Orange Beach on Sunday (June 13), after cleanup crews worked through the night to remove oil sheen and tar balls.
    Deck chairs and sun loungers were empty on a 300 yard stretch of popular beach where clean up workers continued to pick up the debris. Sunbathers and swimmers had moved to a less oily part of the beach, which sits near the Alabama-Florida state line.
    On Florida's Pensacola Beach, there were no clean-up workers. Weekend sun-worshippers enjoyed pristine white sands and transparent water.
    Pensacola will be one of U.S. President Barack Obama's stops when he make his fourth trip to the Gulf on Monday (June 14) and Tuesday (June 15). It will be his first time visiting Florida since an April 20 offshore rig blast killed 11 workers and blew out a BP-leased well in the Gulf of Mexico.
    Dallas King, from Pensacola Beach, said she was glad there was no oil on the beach for Obama to see.
    "Obviously, here there's not too much to see but our beautiful beaches, so he might have to come back," she said.
    "I think it will help for him to see it himself," said Katie Sokul, also from Pensacola Beach. "I just hope that it's as bad - not that I hope it gets worse but I hope he sees the worst part."
    Pensacola Beach resident John King said any attention is good attention for the area.
    "I know it's kind of potentially a pity party, he comes here, what does he really do, but I think attention is attention. It helps," he said.
    Robert Coast, from Mobile, Alabama was less convinced.
    "This is Obama's Katrina, in my opinion. He's way too late. He should have been here weeks ago if he wants to show his support," he said.
    Greg Smith, from Habersham County, Georgia said he would like Obama to tell residents of the affected area that he will put pressure on BP.
    "(I hope he says) that he's going to make BP fix this mess. Apparently, you know, it's not messy here yet but it's soon to be. So we're lucky enough to be here and enjoy it before it gets messed up."
    Obama will stay overnight in the Gulf for the first time during the crisis and then return to Washington on Tuesday. The President is scheduled to address the nation about the oil spill at 8 p.m./0000 GMT Tuesday evening.
    Since the initial rig explosion, the ensuing ecological disaster has spread along the U.S. Gulf Coast, contaminating beaches and wildlife habitats, killing birds, sea turtles and dolphins, and damaging the region's lucrative tourism and fishing industries. The ruptured well is estimated to be spewing out up to 40,000 barrels (1.7 million gallons/6.4 million liters) of oil a day, and it is only partly contained.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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