Carolinas’ Coast Seen Safe from Oil Spill for Now

Government officials are keeping a close eye on the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, but think there’s only a small chance of oil washing up on the Carolinas coast.

Authorities in both states said last week that plans are in place to deal with an oil spill.

There’s is a chance that oil from the ruptured well in the gulf could reach the loop current and then past Florida into the Atlantic.

But if that were to happen, the oil would be largely dispersed by the time it moved north. Also, the Gulf Stream would likely keep it 60 miles or more offshore.

Officials say it would be several weeks before the Carolinas would be affected, if at all, by the spill.