Alex Oil Spill and Gulf Cleanup Efforts Update

Alex affected the oil spill and Gulf of Mexico cleanup efforts, as boats that skimmed oil from the top of the water had to stay at port.  In addition, the rough waters pushed oil back on beaches that had previously been cleaned.

This is only the start of the hurricane season. Many are hoping that BP will be able to stop the oil before another storm system heads through the Gulf, but that could be highly unlikely.

It will be Saturday before cleanup efforts resume. Alex also delayed the installation of a third containment cap over the busted wellhead.  The containment caps aren't catching 100% of the oil

Former President Bill Clinton suggested blowing up the broken well and covering it with lots of debris. This would end the spill once and for all - at least according to him.

Right now the only hope to end the spill is the drilling of two relief wells.  Once the wells are drilled, the broken well is expected to be sealed.

At least hurricane Alex didn't go right through the oil spill region.  Everyone is holding their breath, hoping that no other hurricanes go through the affected area.

The oil spill has created health advisories in beaches all over the Florida panhandle.  In addition, beaches in Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana have been affected by the slick.

It could be years before the oil spill is completely cleaned up.  The environment has been impacted, as has the seafood and tourist industries.

Many people are involved in the cleanup efforts.  While they claim that everything was ahead of schedule, bad weather is sure to cause delays.

Tropical Storm Alex 2010 Becomes Hurricane Alex?

Tropical Storm Alex is close to becoming Hurricane Alex. The first 2010 tropical storm and hurricane system is in the Gulf of Mexico, which is unfortunate considering that the Gulf Oil Spill is still not rectified. The storm system has delayed some containment efforts, but it isn't as bad as it could be given that the path isn't going directly over the affected area.

Instead, the storm could hit the southern coast of Texas and parts of Mexico. It's expected to make landfall at the Texas/Mexico border sometime later on today.

As the system moves over the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico, it will gain strength. It's currently forecasted as a Category 3 hurricane, hardly a super hurricane such as Katrina.

Storm conditions could help the oil in the Gulf of Mexico separate and evaporate. However, it's a double edged sword as the storm system could also push the oil ashore.

Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, and Florida all have experienced oil washing ashore. Hurricane season will bring more woes to these states which have beaches on the Gulf of Mexico.

This is only the first of what could be many hurricanes this season. Although a bullet has been dodged this time, a hurricane could still rip through the area where crews are working to clean up the oil spill.

The trajectory of the storm can be seen in the graphic above. Hopefully the damage from the storm won't be widespread. The way it looks, Mexico will receive the majority of the force from the hurricane.

Hurricane Alex 2010 and Tropical Storm Alex Make Headlines

Hurricane Alex 2010 could be the first hurricane of the season, although it is really Tropical Storm Alex.    The storm system is expected to strengthen as it goes over the warm waters of the Gulf, although it is not expected to make landfall anywhere around the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

This means that BP has dodged a bullet this time. However, many will keep their eye on Hurricane Alex and make sure that it doesn't change course and then threaten cleanup and containment efforts of the spill.

The Tropical Storm could hit the southeast of Texas then head over the northeast of Mexico. It's forecasted as a category 3 hurricane, which is strong but not as devastating as hurricanes such as Katrina.

The storm system will put BP one week behind in doubling their oil spill containment capacity. There are warnings that the wind patterns from the storm could push the oil slick more inland.

Portions of the efforts have been evacuated just in case.

Hurricane watches are in effect, and typically go into effect 48 hours before the first winds are expected to surface.

Hurricane season is just another facet in this year, which has been plagued with several natural disasters. From earthquakes to floods and now hurricane, it seems as if there is no end to mother nature's fury this year.

Of course, Hurricane Alex is only the beginning. The Atlantic hurricane season goes from now until later in the year. The warm waters of the Gulf make for a dangerous mix with hurricanes, as it helps them to gain strength as it moves across the waters.

Note - The photograph on this post is not of Tropical Storm Alex.