Florida governor declares state of emergency in several Panhandle counties for Gulf oil spill

Florida declares state of emergency for Panhandle

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida Gov. Charlie Crist has declared a state of emergency in several Panhandle coastal counties because of the threat from oil leaking from the Deepwater Horizon rig in the Gulf of Mexico.

Friday’s executive order covers Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Walton, Bay and Gulf Counties.

The order says “The resulting oil slick is generally moving in a northerly direction and threatens Florida’s coast.”

It designates the director of the Division of Emergency Management as state coordinating officer and orders activation of the Florida National Guard.

The spill imperils wildlife along the Gulf Coast, one of the world’s richest seafood grounds.