Deepwater Horizon oil spill

This article documents a current event. Information may change rapidly as the event progresses.

An explosion at the Deepwater Horizon offshore drilling rig on April 20, 2010 precipitated an ongoing leak and resultant oil spill that has expanded through the Gulf of Mexico into Florida waters (which were protected by a state moratorium on offshore drilling) and threatens the beaches and wildlife habitats — and by extension, the tourism and fishing industries — of Northwest Florida.