The mounting threat of Tropical Storm Bonnie has prompted the United States government to evacuate large numbers of ships out of the Gulf of Mexico: the site of the BP oil spill that began when the Deepwater Horizon oil rig exploded earlier this year.

According to weather forecasters, the tropical storm could begin to impact on the spill site early on 24 July. To date, Tropical Storm Bonnie has flooded parts of Haiti, the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico and is now positioned over the Bahamas.

As a result of the inbound storm, no more drilling will take place on the second oil well – created to relieve the pressure on the first – for as long as a fortnight.

Gulf of Mexico Evacuation

BP placed a cap on the original well several days ago: an action that stopped oil flowing after almost three months of continual output. This cap will stay in place while the Gulf of Mexico evacuation is enforced.

Right up until the cap’s fitting, as much as 25,000 barrels of oil was still flowing out on a daily basis. As per the latest data, however, a mere 56 barrels of oil left the spill site on 22 July.

The 20 April Deepwater Horizon explosion resulted in the loss of 11 lives, while the oil efflux has caused massive environmental damage.

Tropical Storm Bonnie

According to the US National Hurricane Center, Tropical Storm Bonnie is producing consistent 40mph winds. Anticipating the damage to come, Bobby Jindal – the Governor of Louisiana – has now declared an emergency state.

Acknowledging that the evacuation would delay ongoing oil spill work in the Gulf of Mexico, oil spill commander Admiral Thad Allen stressed that safety was paramount.

“The safety of individuals at the well site is our highest concern”, he commented, adding: “We are staging our skimming vessels and other assets in a manner that will allow us to promptly restart oil mitigation efforts as soon as the storm passes and we can ensure the safety of our personnel.”

Enviro News will present further coverage of this new twist in the BP oil spill situation as future facts emerge.

See also:

BP Oil Well Cap Test Begins

US Oil Spill - BP's Louisiana Plan

US Oil Spill Effects Disastrous for Marine Life