Perdido Post

BEACHES ARE BEAUTIFUL IN PERDIDO KEY!

It is Saturday, July 31st and as I look down from the 6th floor of Capri Condominiums, I see gorgeous blue-green waters, beachgoers lounging, kids playing in the water, and most comforting of all...oil free beaches.  While it is safe to say more oil will likely surface on the beaches over the next few months, we are not seeing oil on the beaches in Perdido Key at this time.  In fact, earlier today, I watched a large school of rays swimming close to shore...the first I have seen in several months.  There are also reports of increased dolphin sightings by many.  For those of you considering a last minute vacation before the kids go back to school...pack it up and hit the beach!  They are beautiful!

BP Oil Well No Longer Leaking

I am happy to post the GREAT news!  As of 2:25pm today, BP says the oil leak has been COMPLETELY CONTAINED.  Although the newly installed cap is a temporary measure until the relief wells can be completed in early August, the cap is thus far working!  The company is now conducting a "well integrity test" to see if the well can remain closed until next month when it can be permanently closed with cement.  We are hopeful!

 

This news comes at a great time...riding the tails of an unprecedented Jimmy Buffett concert and busy July 4th holiday.  Here along the coast, beachgoers continue to enjoy warm weather and gulf coast hospitality in spite of the bleak, national media coverage showing oil-covered beaches.  Here is a photo taken during 4th of July in front of Palacio Condominiums on Perdido Key.  Spread the good news!

 

 

PERDIDO KEY OIL SPILL IMAGES

Looking at the beach today, you will see a mix of sunbathers, beach umbrellas, and people splashing in the water.  You will also see clean-up workers mixed among beachgoers along certain portions of Perdido Key.  Clean-up workers in bright yellow and orange vests are working to pick up small pieces of oil in front of The Crab Trap restaurant and neighboring condo communities as well as other locations along Perdido Key.  So far, the small bits of oil have not stopped vacationers from enjoying the summer weather, white sand beaches, swimming pools and wonderful Gulf Coast hospitality.  For those of you curious to know exactly how the oil in Perdido Key appears, here are few photos taken yesterday in front of Capri and The Marseilles luxury condominiums:

 
To date, I have personally not experienced any smell of oil while enjoying my evening walk on the beach.  I can say with heartfelt sincerity, the beaches are still beautiful and there is plenty of clean, white sand to put your toes into!  I encourage you to make that trip you were planning...not only will you enjoy the beach, food and fun, but Gulf Coast businesses need your support now more than ever! 
 
 

OUR COAST IS CLEAR!

Visitors to Perdido Key enjoyed a sunny, beautiful Memorial Day weekend at the beach!  In fact, occupancy rates for Memorial weekend in Perdido Key exceeded last year according to ResortQuest Operations Manager, Ryan Christopher.  Similarly, Orange Beach and Gulf Shores beaches were hopping and occupancy rates were a whopping 93% with ResortQuet rentals, which is great news for owners.  Why not come and put your feet in the sand?  White sand and warm waters are waiting....

For those of you interested in the latest community oil spill update, click here to read the latest from our Perdido Key Chamber: Coastal Update.

Also, the Perdido Chamber of Commerce release the following statement today:

June 2, 2010

Like you, we are all watching the news and we are all concerned.  However, for the moment, all is well and our coast is still clear.  Please help us spread the word that nothing has come ashore yet, and Perdido Key is still a safe choice for vacationing.  It's possible that we may be only minimally affected with some scattered tar balls that are easy to clean up.  It could be worse, but we don't know for sure.

We want to assure you that we are dedicated to being the trusted source for travel planning, before, during and after this situation.  Please check our daily video at www.VisitPerdido.comand our live beach cam high atop nearby Eden Condominiums.  Our marketing company, IdeaWorks has pitched Perdido Key to several networks/shows including Good Morning America and CNN and there has been some interest.  You can also see a commercial that is running in our drive market right now.  Check out this link:  http://www.2150.tv/getpass.html, password: perdidokey (case sensitive).  Keep in mind that many of our Realtors and Property Management Companies have reduced their rental rates and drastically relaxed their cancellation policies.

Our water is clear and clean and our beaches are open! We will continue to monitor the situation closely and do whatever is possible to protect our shores, wildlife and residents.

For more information, we recommend the websites listed below.

http://www.escambiadisasterresponse.com/

www.visitflorida.org

www.noaa.com

www.DeepWaterHorizonResponse.com

http://www.dep.state.fl.us/deepwaterhorizon/default.htm

www.BeReadyEscambia.com/training

http://www.co.escambia.fl.us/

To report oiled wildlife, call 1-866-557-1401

To discuss oil related damage, call 1-800-440-0858

To make your boat available to assist with the response, call 1-281-366-5511

To report oiled shoreline or request volunteer information, call 1-866-448-5816

Or call the Florida State Emergency Information line at 1-800-342-3557

Thank you for your continued support of Perdido Key!

 

Tina Makowski |  Director

Perdido Key Chamber of Commerce

and Visitors Center

15500 Perdido Key Drive

Pensacola, FL 32507

850.492.4660

www.VisitPerdido.com

 

Visit Perdido - The Coast is Clear!

 

 

Perdido Key Oil Spill Impact

I spent the past few hours cleaning up debris on Perdido Key beaches as part of a local volunteer effort called "Operation Clean Sweep".  Our goal is to remove as much debris as possible from Escambia County beaches before the oil spill reaches the shores to prevent additional contamination.  My efforts were concentrated on the beaches in front of La Belle Maison, The Marseilles, Capri, Molokai Villas, SeaWatch and Riviera Dunes.  Joining me were fellow ResortQuest agents (and great friends) Michelle Fulford and Kerri Hutchinson.  Hundreds of volunteers combed the coastline today in efforts to prepare our beloved beaches for what is being predicted the worst oil spill is U.S. history and a disaster of national significance. 

There is a tremendous amount of information flowing about the oil spill.

BEST INFORMATIONAL WEBSITES RELATED TO OIL SPILL:

www.deepwaterhorizonresponse.com

http://www.co.escambia.fl.us

http://www.escambiadisasterresponse.com

http://www.emeraldcoastkeeper.org

The EPA just put up a "damage control" webpage for those living in the affected areas:  http://www.epa.gov/bpspill/

OIL SPILL CONTACT NUMBERS ISSUED BY BP:

To report oiled wildlife:  Call (866) 557-1401 and leave a message. Messages will be checked hourly.

To report oil onshore or to volunteer:   Call (866) 448-5816 or e-mail:  deepwaterhorizonresponse@hotmail.com.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Many volunteers will be needed over the upcoming months.  The Perdido Key Chamber of Commerce is spear-heading many local volunteer efforts. If you have any questions, call the chamber office at 492-4660.

To volunteer to handle petroleum-contaminated materials:

Registration is required for a four-hour health and safety training class. BRACE, United Way and First Call for Help are organizing volunteers for cleanups if the oil reaches shore. Call 595-5905 to register to volunteer.

To volunteer to help oiled wildlife:

Wildlife Sanctuary of Northwest Florida is seeking donations and volunteers as it prepares for the arrival of affected birds and other animals. Learn more at PensacolaWildlife.com.

Tri-State Bird Rescue & Research is accepting volunteer signups by phone, mail or e-mail as the group prepares to rehabilitate affected animals. Call (302) 737-9543 for more information.

The oil is expected to make landfall in the Perdido Key area as early as tomorrow, Monday, May 2nd.  The oil is extremely hazardous and should not be breathed or touched.  Do not attempt to pick up any contaminated matter and do not attempt to rescue any oiled wildlife, but instead call the wildlife hotline number above.

Please continue to pray that the leaks are stopped and oil will be captured before it hits land.  Also please continue to pray for all those people and animals whose lives and livelihoods will be impacted by this tragedy.

More information to come...

Blessings to you,

Kathy Justice, ResortQuest Real Estate, Broker-Associate