Sarasota County Commission declares state of emergency in response to Deepwater Horizon oil spill

Sarasota County commissioners have declared a state of emergency for Sarasota County to authorize spending public funds and authorize applications for state and federal financial assistance in response to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill if the county is threatened by the event. The county currently is under no imminent risk of the oil spill reaching its coast.

Florida Governor Charlie Crist extended a previously issued emergency declaration to include Sarasota County on May 3. The executive order will activate financial aid and resources to support the planning and response to the event.

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection is the lead agency to coordinate the response to the oil spill, in conjunction with the U.S. Coast Guard.

For information about the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, contact the Sarasota County Call Center at 941-861-5000 and ask for Emergency Management.