With oil still spilling into the Gulf, the onset of what is expected to be an active hurricane season in the Atlantic basin could push the damage way inland, north to the Carolinas, and to the Bahamas and Bermuda, and also west toward Texas and Mexico.
That's the dire warning from iJet Intelligent Risk Systems, which combines use of a data-intelligence processing system and human analysis to track global risks and threats to corporate clients.
“Organizations tied to the hospitality/tourism, fishing/food service, extraction (oil and gas) and other major services industries in the Gulf are of highest risk to face complications from the oil spill and hurricane season,” iJet states.
And, if a hurricane hits Haiti, that would complicate an-already-dire situation in the earthquake ravaged country, iJet says.
iJet launched in 1999, with a focus on providing risk assessments for the travel industry, but widened its scope to cover risk and security assessments for corporations globally.
The company still offers Worldcue Travel Risk Management, providing corporations and travel management companies with intelligence and services such as itinerary tracking in the event of a crisis.
The hurricane season in the Atlantic basin runs from June 1 to November 30 and iJet notes that hurricane experts predict a stormy season.
Even a minor storm, iJet states, could push the still-gushing oil from the Deepwater Horizon/BP spill into surrounding areas.
This assessment makes BP's efforts to cap the well all the more critical.
“Storm surges in coastal areas often bring tides of up to 10 feet above normal and can reach heights of 20 feet during large hurricanes, potentially forcing oil miles inland to low-lying areas and into nearby estuaries and riverbeds," iJet says.
And, if hurricanes push the oil into the currents that flow around Florida, then the oil could end up near the Carolinas, Bermuda, the Bahamas and as far west as Texas and Mexico, considerably widening impacted areas, iJet says.
iJet warns companies to prepare for the hurricane season, especially if the oil and hurricanes prove to be a grimy, lethal mix.
Among recommended steps, iJet advises:
"Consider threats to key assets. Curfews and disrupted transportation systems may make your facilities uninhabitable for a period of time. Prepare for extensive supply chain disruptions by creating an alternate operation plan in the event employees cannot quickly return to a facility. Consider setting up a remote system or designating a remote location for employees to report to."
iJet's warnings may face their first test next week.
A named tropical storm may develop next week -- the first of the hurricane season -- between Mexico and Cuba, Business Week reports, a development which might complicate BP's clean-up efforts.
However, contrary to iJet's assessment of the overall situation, some experts allow that storms could have a beneficial effect by breaking up the oil without the use of chemical dispersants.
But, these experts do acknowledge there is a risk that the storms could expand the oil spills' reach.