From the earliest moments of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, NOAA has played a lead role in all the complex steps along the way. Learn the details of the work we’ve done over the past 10 years—responding to the spill, assessing the damage, developing a restoration plan, and implementing on-the-ground restoration projects—and how our work is continuing today.

The Oil Spill Begins

April 20, 2010 – An explosion on the Deepwater Horizon Macondo oil well drilling platform started the largest marine oil spill in U.S. history. For 87 days after the explosion, the well blasted oil and natural gas continuously and uncontrollably into the northern Gulf.

July 15, 2010 – After several unsuccessful attempts to contain the spill, a “capping stack” was installed that stopped the release of oil. Every day, for 87 days, the Macondo well had released an average of more than 1.5 million gallons of oil into the ocean. In all, an estimated 134 million gallons of oil was released.

Responding to the Crisis

April 20, 2010 – NOAA is the lead science agency for coastal oil spills, and our experts were on the scene from the earliest moments of the crisis. We brought decades of experience protecting and restoring our coasts from oil spills. We provided critical information to guide the emergency response, both on-scene and through our headquarters and regional offices.

2010 through 2015 – NOAA’s response to the spill, led by our Office of Response and Restoration, started within hours of the explosion. It continued for years, through the well capping, cleanup, and assessment. Our response was unprecedented, involving thousands of staff across the agency to meet the scale of the spill. We used satellite imagery and real-time data on tides and currents to predict and verify oil spill location and movement. To ensure the safety of fishermen and seafood, our scientists took water and seafood samples. In addition, our experts established a marine mammal and sea turtle group. We deployed NOAA technical experts for wildlife reconnaissance, response, and rescue of sea turtles and marine mammals.

Assessing the Damage

April 20, 2010 – As soon as news of the spill was received, NOAA and other agencies began working to assess how the oil and other contaminants were impacting natural resources. The Oil Pollution Act authorizes certain federal agencies, states, and tribes—collectively known as natural resource trustees—to conduct a natural resource damage assessment. This process focuses on evaluating the impacts of oil spills and other disasters, and planning and carrying out restoration efforts. Working together with the oil spill response efforts, teams of scientists rapidly mobilized. They evaluated the potential impacts of the spill on fish, wildlife, surrounding habitats, and public use of those resources.

April 26, 2011 – Federal and state agencies officially established the Deepwater Horizon Trustee Council. Since then, the Council has worked to restore the Gulf to the condition it would have been in if the spill had not happened.

2010 through 2015 – NOAA’s Damage Assessment, Remediation, and Restoration Program—in coordination with other NOAA offices and alongside other Trustees—led the effort to assess the impacts of the spill. Over the course of the assessment, experts used field studies, laboratory studies, scientific literature, and model-based approaches. They documented the quantity and location of oil, the ways in which the spill was affecting natural resources, and the type and amount of restoration required. This ecosystem-scale effort spanned thousands of square miles of ocean and shoreline. It included more than 20,000 trips to the field to collect data and more than 100,000 samples collected.

NOAA veterinarian Dr. Brian Stacy prepares to clean an oiled Kemp’s Ridley turtle.

Building a Comprehensive Restoration Plan

Early 2011 – With the findings from the assessment, NOAA and other Trustees began planning our restoration efforts. In early 2011, we began a scoping effort to identify issues of public concern. As part of the scoping process, the Trustees hosted public meetings across all the Gulf states. We wanted to identify concerns of the affected public, state and federal agencies, and tribes, and to involve the public in the decision-making process.

October 5, 2015 – The Trustees released a draft of their comprehensive, integrated, ecosystem restoration plan for the Gulf. This draft plan included a detailed assessment of impacts of the spill on natural resources in the Gulf and the services those resources provide. It also identified the types of restoration needed to compensate the public for these impacts.

October 5 to December 4, 2015 – The Trustees received public comment on the draft for 60 days. During that time, we hosted eight public meetings in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Texas, and Washington, D.C. We received more than 6,300 public comments—both written and verbal. The comments were reviewed by the Trustees and taken into consideration prior to finalizing the plan.

February 19, 2016 – The Trustees released the Deepwater Horizon Final Programmatic Damage Assessment and Restoration Plan. In addition to delineating a comprehensive approach to restoration, the plan also outlined the structure of how the Trustees would operate. It established Trustee Implementation Groups for seven restoration areas: each of the five Gulf states, Open Ocean, and Regionwide. The plan describes the process for each group to develop project-specific restoration plans for their respective area. It also outlined the responsibilities for individual Trustees as they implement and track the progress of their restoration work.

March 2016 – After a 30-day waiting period, the Trustees made a final decision to select the restoration alternative evaluated in the plan as our approach for restoration implementation. We entered a Record of Decision that explained our decision to pursue this approach.

An aerial view of a NOAA-led project to protect marsh habitat in Mississippi.

Reaching a Historic Settlement

July 6, 2012 – NOAA and other Trustees were leading the natural resource damage assessment process. Meanwhile, other civil and criminal actions were also underway to respond to environmental damages caused by the spill. This included the 2012 RESTORE Act. It established a fund that receives 80 percent of any Clean Water Act civil and administrative penalties paid by companies responsible for the spill. It also:

Created the RESTORE Council , composed of the five Gulf states and six federal agencies, including NOAA. Through the Council, NOAA received funding for three programs currently underway: the GulfCorps program with restoration teams in each of the Gulf states; the Connecting Coastal Waters initiative to restore more than 22,000 acres of habitat across the Gulf; and the Council’s Monitoring and Assessment Program , supporting the science-based decision-making and restoration evaluation.

Established the NOAA RESTORE Science Program , which funds research and monitoring in the Gulf. The program has already supported nearly $40 million in new research, and expects to invest another $6 million or more each year for the next two decades.

May 13, 2013 – The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation launched the Gulf Environmental Benefit Fund. This fund, established in 2013, arose from the criminal plea agreement with BP and Transocean. The Foundation directs the funds to restoration projects benefiting the natural resources that were impacted by the spill. NOAA assists by providing technical input and environmental compliance advice on projects proposed for funding. We also help ensure coordination among all the partners in Gulf restoration.

April 4, 2016 – BP, the United States, and the five Gulf states agreed to a settlement. It resolved claims for federal civil penalties and natural resource damages related to the Deepwater Horizon spill. The $20.8 billion settlement, which included up to $8.8 billion for natural resource damages, was the largest environmental damage settlement in United States history.

GulfCorps members work to build a living shoreline in Apalachicola, Florida.

Working Toward a Restored Gulf of America

April 21, 2011 – The Trustees announced an agreement under which BP would provide up to $1 billion toward implementation of early restoration projects. This early restoration agreement allowed for some restoration work to begin prior to reaching a settlement. It allowed for on-the-ground restoration to begin while Trustees continued with assessment and restoration planning.

2012 through 2015 – The Trustees negotiated and sought public review on a series of early restoration projects with BP. Several NOAA-led projects were approved, including:

Building protective living shorelines in Florida, Mississippi and Alabama .

Restoring beach, dune, and marsh habitats at Chenier Ronquille Barrier Island .

Improving our capacity to respond to stranded sea turtles , better understand ongoing threats, and engage with fishing communities to reduce harmful interactions with gear.

Engaging pelagic longline fishing communities to voluntarily take a break from fishing, or use alternative gear that reduces incidental bycatch to restore fish like tuna and swordfish.

2016 to Present – Since the settlement, NOAA has continued our early restoration projects and taken a significant lead in new projects. We are currently leading 35 natural resource damage assessment projects with budgets totaling $322 million. These projects benefit fish, sea turtles, marine mammals, mesophotic and deep benthic communities, oysters, gulf sturgeon, and coastal and offshore habitats.

September 28, 2016 – The Trustees held their first annual public meeting on Gulf restoration efforts. Trustees continue to host these public meetings each year to provide updates on work since the settlement. In addition to public meetings, the Trustees provide annual reporting on the progress of activities underway. These reports include information on planning, project implementation, and fund allocations and expenditures for each Trustee Implementation Group. NOAA and our partners will continue to hold public meetings and provide annual updates on our restoration progress and how we’re spending settlement funds.

April 2017 – Trustees received the first annual post-settlement payments from BP.

June 27, 2017 – The Regionwide Trustee Implementation Group released four strategic frameworks to assist with restoration planning. These frameworks provide broad context and guidance for the restoration of oysters, sea turtles, birds, and marine mammals across multiple restoration areas.

2017 and 2018 – The Trustee Implementation Groups finalized their first restoration plans, selecting projects to continue work started through the early restoration projects.

January 4, 2018 – The Trustees released the first version of their monitoring and adaptive management manual. The manual includes guidance for monitoring needed to evaluate restoration outcomes and benefits to injured resources. It will be revised periodically as needed based on developments in guidance, restoration approaches, and best practices.

September 2019 – The Regionwide Trustee Implementation Group asked the public to submit restoration project ideas to be considered in future proposals. The Trustees reviewed more than 5,000 project ideas. Once identified, they will represent the first regionwide set of projects for coastal and marine resources that range throughout the Gulf and Gulf states.

December 10, 2019 – The Open Ocean Trustee Implementation Group announced 18 projects totaling almost $226 million. The projects will help restore fish, sea turtles, marine mammals, and deep-sea coral habitat that were injured by the spill. They represent the largest dedication of Natural Resource Damage Assessment funds to restore oceanic marine resources in the Gulf to date.

Looking Ahead

NOAA’s work restoring the Gulf will continue past 2030. We will lead the implementation and monitoring of numerous large restoration projects, evaluate restoration effectiveness, and make corrective actions as needed. NOAA is using lessons from the Deepwater Horizon spill and subsequent research to be even better prepared to provide expert scientific support during other oil spills. These lessons, and our continued scientific support, will ensure restoration provides sustained benefits to natural resources and communities in the Gulf.

The power’s out, the air conditioning is off and the temperature is climbing. Whether it’s due to a summer storm, a heat wave or grid overload, more Americans are facing blackouts when they need cooling the most.

Whether you’re stuck in a sweltering apartment or trying to prevent heat-related illnesses, there are low-tech ways to cool off and stay safe. Experts say that a few simple tricks, such as where you sleep, what to drink and how you manage airflow, can make a big difference.

Here’s what you need to know about staying cool until the power is restored.

How to stay cool when power goes out

Start by closing blinds and curtains, especially on south and west-facing windows, where sunlight is most intense. If you don’t have blackout curtains, try reflective window coverings or, in a pinch, aluminum foil. Keep windows and drapes shut during the hottest part of the day to trap cooler air inside and keep the heat out.

DIY cooling tricks

Use damp washcloths, ice packs or frozen water bottles on pulse points like your wrist, neck and feet to get quick, localized relief. A cool, not cold, shower can also help lower your body temperature without the shock that icy water might bring.

Another popular DIY trick is to place a bowl of ice or frozen packs in front of a battery-operated fan to create a mini air conditioner effect. It’s simple, effective and can make a real difference when the temperatures are high.

Hydration is your best friend

Drink water frequently, even if you don’t feel thirsty. Staying hydrated helps keep your body cool and regulate its temperature. Avoid drinks with caffeine or alcohol, which can dehydrate you. For an extra boost, snack on hydrating foods like watermelon, cucumbers and leafy greens. They’re light, refreshing and packed with water to help you stay cool from the inside out.

Nighttime strategies

Suppose the power is still out after sunset, head to the lowest level of your home. Basements or ground floors stay cooler than upper levels, even during the day.

One tried-and-true trick is the “Egyptian method.” Dampen a sheet with cool water, wring it out and sleep under it with a battery-powered fan nearby. The evaporation helps cool your body, making it easier to fall asleep in the heat.

Prepare for the next outage

If a power outage catches you off guard, don’t let it happen twice. Build a simple emergency cooling kit so you’re ready next time. Include battery-powered or rechargeable fans, cooling towels, ice packs and plenty of extra water.

Keep frozen water bottles in the freezer, and they’ll serve as both ice packs and drinking water as they thaw and melt. For an extra layer of preparedness, consider a portable power station or solar charger to keep small devices running when the grid goes down.

Quick tips that make a big difference

Sometimes, even the most minor change can have a significant impact on staying cool. Here are a few extra ways to keep cool when the power’s out:

Wear loose, light-colored clothing

Limit physical activity

Use a spray bottle with cool water

Keep your feet cool

Hang out somewhere with air conditioning, like a mall, or catch a movie

Take a dip in the local swimming pool

Jennifer Lindahl is a Breaking and Trending Reporter for the Deep South Connect Team for Gannett/USA Today. Connect with her on X @jenn_lindahl and email at jlindahl@gannett.com.

Recreational marijuana is legal in nearly half the country, but not in Alabama.

While 24 states let adults use cannabis without a prescription, Alabama hasn’t followed suit.

Still, the state does permit medical use. Here’s what it looks like:

Has Alabama legalized recreational marijuana?

No, Alabama does not allow adult-use of cannabis.

According to NORML, possession for personal use, even under an ounce, is punishable as a misdemeanor with up to 12 months in jail or up to a $6,000 fine.

Possession for other than personal use in any amount is punishable as a felony with penalties of 1.5 to 5 years in jail and up to $15,000 in fines.

Does Alabama allow marijuana medically?

Alabama allows marijuana for medical purposes only. Registered patients that are approved for medical cannabis can have up to 70 doses at a time, with each dose limited to 50 milligrams during the first 90 days. State rules ban smokable cannabis and edibles. Instead, products must come as capsules, tablets, tinctures, gels or similar forms. Inhalers and topical creams are also allowed. Patients under 18 years of age are limited to low-THC options.

What states have legalized recreational marijuana?

According to U.S. News and World Report, here are the 24 states to legalize marijuana:

Washington (as of 2012)

Alaska (as of 2014)

Oregon (as of 2014)

California (as of 2016)

Montana (as of 2020)

Colorado (as of 2012)

Nevada (as of 2016)

Arizona (as of 2020)

New Mexico (as of 2021)

Minnesota (as of 2023)

Missouri (as of 2022)

Illinois (as of 2019)

Michigan (as of 2018)

Ohio (as of 2023)

Virginia (as of 2021)

Maryland (as of 2023)

Maine (as of 2016)

Delaware (as of 2023)

New Jersey (as of 2020)

New York (as of 2021)

Vermont (as of 2018)

Massachusetts (as of 2016)

Rhode Island (as of 2022)

Connecticut (as of 2021)

For more information, visit usnews.com/news.

Vanessa Countryman is the Trending Topics Reporter for the the Deep South Connect Team Georgia. Email her at Vcountryman@gannett.com.

Jennifer Lindahl is a Breaking and Trending Reporter for the Deep South Connect Team for Gannett/USA Today. Connect with her on X @jenn_lindahl and email at jlindahl@gannett.com.

With temperatures soaring past 96 degrees, and that’s not even counting the heat index, it’s safe to say we’re in the thick of a serious summer scorcher.

Cranking up the air conditioner has become essential, but staying cool can result in higher energy bills.

To keep costs in check, Alabama Power suggests setting your thermostat to 78 degrees during warm weather. Another tip? Follow the 20-degree rule: don’t set your thermostat more than 20 degrees cooler than the outside temperature.

Still sweating it out indoors? Before you reach for that thermostat, here are a few other ways to chill out without breaking the bank.

Using ceiling fans are effective at keeping you cool and lowering energy costs

Using fans is one way to cool down your home without consuming as much energy as you would using an air conditioner.

Fans work by creating a wind chill effect. They blow air across your skin, helping sweat evaporate, and that evaporation is what cools your body down. Unlike air conditioners, fans don’t cool the entire room, they cool the person using them. The more moisture that evaporates, the cooler you feel.

What way should your fan blades spin in the summer?

Set your fan blades to rotate counterclockwise. That direction creates a downdraft, pushing cooler air down from the ceiling and creating a breeze that makes you feel more comfortable, even if the actual room temperature doesn’t change. It’s a simple switch that can make a big difference on hot days.

Using a ceiling fan lets you bump your thermostat up by 4 degrees without sacrificing comfort, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

Using a window fan? The U.S. Department of Energy says to do this

Using a window fan to beat the heat? The U.S. Department of Energy has some smart tips:

Close the windows near your fan and open ones further away, ideally on the windward side of your home, to help air flow through

For best results, pull in air from cooler, shaded spots outside

In multi-story homes, place the fan upstairs and open windows downstairs

If that’s not an option, try using separate fans on each level to keep the air moving.

Extreme heat kills more than 700 people a year. Here’s who’s most at risk in Alabama

When temperatures climb, high humidity makes things feel even worse. Moisture in the air makes it harder for sweat to evaporate, which means your body can’t cool down as easily.

For some groups, the heat is more than just uncomfortable. It can be dangerous.

Each year, more than 700 people in the U.S. die from extreme heat, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The most vulnerable include young children, people with pre-existing health conditions, the elderly and outdoor workers. The CDC also warns that certain medications can increase the risk of dehydration or make you more sensitive to the sun. If you’re on a prescription, it’s important to talk with your doctor about heat safety.

Essential tips to beat the Alabama heat

Although it’s still early in the season, here are some tips and tricks to help you beat the heat this weekend and beyond as temperatures climb.

Make hydration a priority: Drink plenty of water and avoid caffeine and alcohol. These drinks can dehydrate you as you lose fluids faster.

Drink plenty of water and avoid caffeine and alcohol. These drinks can dehydrate you as you lose fluids faster. Wear loose, lightweight clothing

Seek shade: This is most important if you’re outdoors during peak heat times

This is most important if you’re outdoors during peak heat times Apply sunscreen: Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF of 30 or higher. While you’re trying to keep cool, you’ll want to avoid getting burned as well

Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF of 30 or higher. While you’re trying to keep cool, you’ll want to avoid getting burned as well Stay indoors during the hottest hours

Take breaks if you’re outside working

Jennifer Lindahl is a Breaking and Trending Reporter for the Deep South Connect Team for Gannett/USA Today. Connect with her on X @jenn_lindahl and email at jlindahl@gannett.com.

MAAFA remembrance ceremony held at Riverfront in Montgomery

Wretha Hudson pauses as she drops a carnation into the Alabama River during the 14th annual commemoration of the MAAFA held at the riverfront in Montgomery, Ala., on Saturday July 12, 2025. MAAFA translates to “great disaster”, and refers to holocaust of enslavement. Mickey Welsh / Advertiser

Clarence Muhammad pours water on a plant during the Libations part of the program at the 14th annual commemoration of the MAAFA held at the riverfront in Montgomery, Ala., on Saturday July 12, 2025. MAAFA translates to “great disaster”, and refers to holocaust of enslavement. Mickey Welsh / Advertiser

Drummers perform during the 14th annual commemoration of the MAAFA held at the riverfront in Montgomery, Ala., on Saturday July 12, 2025. MAAFA translates to “great disaster”, and refers to holocaust of enslavement. Mickey Welsh / Advertiser

Trina Spackman dances during the 14th annual commemoration of the MAAFA held at the riverfront in Montgomery, Ala., on Saturday July 12, 2025. MAAFA translates to “great disaster”, and refers to holocaust of enslavement. Mickey Welsh / Advertiser

Theodore Lush speaks during the 14th annual commemoration of the MAAFA held at the riverfront in Montgomery, Ala., on Saturday July 12, 2025. MAAFA translates to “great disaster”, and refers to holocaust of enslavement. Mickey Welsh / Advertiser

Fans are handed out during the 14th annual commemoration of the MAAFA held at the riverfront in Montgomery, Ala., on Saturday July 12, 2025. MAAFA translates to “great disaster”, and refers to holocaust of enslavement. Mickey Welsh / Advertiser

Drummers perform during the 14th annual commemoration of the MAAFA held at the riverfront in Montgomery, Ala., on Saturday July 12, 2025. MAAFA translates to “great disaster”, and refers to holocaust of enslavement. Mickey Welsh / Advertiser

The 14th annual commemoration of the MAAFA held at the riverfront in Montgomery, Ala., on Saturday July 12, 2025. MAAFA translates to “great disaster”, and refers to holocaust of enslavement. Mickey Welsh / Advertiser

The Montgomery Slave Market historical marker is seen in downtown Montgomery, Ala., on Saturday July 12, 2025. Mickey Welsh / Advertiser

Trina Spackman dances as drummers perfom during the 14th annual commemoration of the MAAFA held at the riverfront in Montgomery, Ala., on Saturday July 12, 2025. MAAFA translates to “great disaster”, and refers to holocaust of enslavement. Mickey Welsh / Advertiser

Clarence Muhammad speaks during the 14th annual commemoration of the MAAFA held at the riverfront in Montgomery, Ala., on Saturday July 12, 2025. MAAFA translates to “great disaster”, and refers to holocaust of enslavement. Mickey Welsh / Advertiser

The 14th annual commemoration of the MAAFA held at the riverfront in Montgomery, Ala., on Saturday July 12, 2025. MAAFA translates to “great disaster”, and refers to holocaust of enslavement. Mickey Welsh / Advertiser

People toss carnations into the Alabama River during the 14th annual commemoration of the MAAFA held at the riverfront in Montgomery, Ala., on Saturday July 12, 2025. MAAFA translates to “great disaster”, and refers to holocaust of enslavement. Mickey Welsh / Advertiser

The 14th annual commemoration of the MAAFA held at the riverfront in Montgomery, Ala., on Saturday July 12, 2025. MAAFA translates to “great disaster”, and refers to holocaust of enslavement. Mickey Welsh / Advertiser

Music is performed during the 14th annual commemoration of the MAAFA held at the riverfront in Montgomery, Ala., on Saturday July 12, 2025. MAAFA translates to “great disaster”, and refers to holocaust of enslavement. Mickey Welsh / Advertiser

Theodore Lush lighs a candle during the reading of the MAAFA Litany as the 14th annual commemoration of the MAAFA is held at the riverfront in Montgomery, Ala., on Saturday July 12, 2025. MAAFA translates to “great disaster”, and refers to holocaust of enslavement. Mickey Welsh / Advertiser

Wretha Hudson looks on during the14th annual commemoration of the MAAFA held at the riverfront in Montgomery, Ala., on Saturday July 12, 2025. MAAFA translates to “great disaster”, and refers to holocaust of enslavement. Mickey Welsh / Advertiser