Will the Gulf Oil Spill reach Fort Lauderdale, Florida?

If a guy at Miami is unfortunately correct, you'll be able to see oil from A1A. The attached map was from USF on May 18--about three weeks ago. Read the article that went with it: "Mapping the Slick: Oil in Loop Current Threatens Florida Keys and Delicate Coral Reefs" onearth.org/node/2142 .

As far as property values go, I'm no attorney, but IF the liability has potential to become a civil class-action suit, let's put it this way: I saw on CNN recently a story discussing liability payouts, and it mentioned that people are still waiting to be fully paid out from the Exxon Valdez spill--21 years after it happened. One law firm has already seized the opportunity. And apparently it could be a liability, maybe.

I am not associated with them in any way. Here's what they say : "Property Damage Caused By Gulf Oil Spill You are entitled to claim damages for any injury to property or any economic losses that result from the injury or destruction of property, whether it is land, buildings or other personal property. You do not have to own the property to suffer economic losses from it’s injury or destruction.

For example, if you are a waterfront property owner you can seek compensation for any loss of value that your house has suffered because of the oil spill. These damages are over and above the immediate costs of removing the oil and cleaning up the mess. Filthy beaches and toxic chemical laden air could seriously affect your property’s resale value, as well as it’s ability to create rental income.

A qualified Louisiana (*this apparently didn't get changed from the main page to say "Florida") oil spill lawyer can advise you of the most effective way of seeking damages for the losses you have incurred. That may be through filing your own lawsuit or the best option may be to join a class action lawsuit that has already been started by other waterfront property owners in your area." I've traveled to Ft.

Lauderdale and Broward County fairly regularly for about 17 years. The Sun-Sentinel JUST published this on their website about five hours ago: "Our honest message is that our coast is clear. Business is up from last year," said Nicki Grossman, president of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Grossman said that if oil did appear on area beaches it could cost Broward County businesses up to $15 million a day. It's unclear whether South Florida will remain unblemished, as oil continued pouring from the ocean floor, replenishing the rust-colored slicks on the surface of the Gulf. A significant but unknown amount of oil is suspended beneath the surface, at depths of hundreds or thousands of feet.

Scientists say these undersea plumes could constitute a significant threat to the state's environment, but they can't say how much oil is there, where it is and where the ocean currents could take it. The loop current, the ocean pathway that could bring oil from the Gulf to the Keys and up the southeast Florida coast, has been disrupted by eddies, with one pinching off the small amount of oil that had been caught in the current. But scientists say the current eventually will re-establish itself, and that South Florida's reprieve may not last.

"There's still a great amount of uncertainty about pathways of the loop current," said William Johns, professor of oceanography at the University of Miami's Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science. "Even though it looks like the loop current being pinched off may be helping us, there's a tremendous amount of uncertainty. We shouldn't assume it's going to be our savior.

" I think you'd have a difficult time with the property value loss unless it's a rental property whose income you're not getting--and even then you'd have to link it directly to the spill. Let's be honest--there may STILL be blue tarps here and there from Hurricane Wilma, and unless they had hurricane insurance, those people had NO recourse--because a hurricane is an "Act of God." Consult an attorney--I'm not one.

1. Here is an exact map of the Gulf Stream concerning the area in question:

According to a report by cbs4. Com dated May 3, 2010, it was reported that "Scientists say the Gulf oil spill could get into the what's called the Loop Current within a day, eventually carrying oil south along the Florida coast and into the Florida Keys. 3.

What might be the time line of the oil spill reaching South Florida? ``It's a matter of about two weeks to get to Miami and another week or so to Cape Hatteras,'' he said. ``Had this blowout been a little farther south, it would be in the loop current already.'' 4.

If the oil made it to Fort Lauderdale would is be sufficiently dissipated or would it make a extreme impact on the coastal environment of Fort Lauderdale area of South Florida? "South Florida could see a spate of tar balls at the very least." 5. In a worst case scenario would BP be financially liable for my fallen property value?

According to a statement by whitehouse.Gov, it was posted that "the President vowed to “hold BP and any other responsible parties accountable for financial losses borne by the people in the region. € There were no specifics with regards fallen property value but there are proposals to raise the $75 million dollar cap liability on oil spills to $10 Billion dollars barring questions of constitutionality. Furthermore, under the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund law which currently has an outstanding reserves of $1.6 Billio, an individual can claim damages for the economic impact caused by the Gulf oil spill, which in your case the fallen property value.

Im pretty sure it will they arent going to fix this any time soon. They are a bunch of dunces who shouldve paid attention to the pipe and maybe this wouldnt of happened. The are not smart enough to think of an idea so this I predict will go on for about another 4-7 months the sea is basically doome because of the stupidity of a few people.

You should watch your property carefully now.

According to last night it will reach the white beach in florida and the president is comming to the oil spill today and the bp is being suied 6.9 billion dollers. And I am sorry if this did not help you but this is it. This is what is happening in the current.

Yes it will go as far up as North Carolina and then get into the flow of the ocean and onto Europe. The waves will bring it ashore and it is not going to be protected as they have decided it is easier to clean up the beaches then to fight the waves.

Whether or not the oil reaches Ft. Lauderdale is one thnig, but you may want to sell for another reason: crowds. All the folks that aren't able to go to the coast in Louisiana and Alabama etc will want to go somewhere... Miami is too expensive, so.... FLL is close AND in their price range!

Suddenly, your escape has become a huge mess of rednecks and "summer refugees. " The beaches will be packed the restraunts crowded and no longer fun... Man, I'd prolly do it just for the peace of mind. Next season, if everything is cool, I'm sure you'll be able to find something comparable.

If not cheaper - this thing is going to really effect property (as you said). You may be able to find something even better for cheaper next season!

I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.