Oil blowout puts Gulf Coast back in disaster lens

Almost five years ago the national spotlight was pointed firmly at the Gulf Coast after the disaster brought by Hurricane Katrina. Now, just months before the anniversary of that tragedy, national media are once again focused on the region. "For them the oil spill nearing our shores is today’s lead story," Mary Perez of the Biloxi Sun Herald writes. "For us, it is personal." Locals are left to fear the oil spill's impact on both the region's ecosystem and economic livelihood.

"Last weekend the beaches of South Mississippi were crowded with families flying kites and the fleet was blessed in Pass Christian. This weekend families scan the water looking for any traces of oil," Perez writes. "The shrimp and oyster boat captains who paraded Sunday for a blessing now wonder how they’ll survive the oil slick." Tom Becker, president of the Mississippi Charter Boat Captains Association, told Perez it's the unknown that concerns him most. "We don’t know how long we’re talking about," he said. "What’s going to be lost?"

"Coast folks are creative, resilient and always seem to figure out a way to land on their feet," John Hairston, president of Hancock Bank, told Perez. He added, "My wife and I moved back to the Coast to raise our children and live out our days. The image of our beloved coastline and barrier islands marred with sludge is both terrifying and infuriating. We’ll get this mess cleaned up, God willing, but someone eventually needs to explain what happened and how to prevent it from happening again." (Read more)

To read the Sun Herald's ongoing coverage of the oil spill click here.