Spills · mystery_substance

Gulf of mexico, tx

Mystery Tarballs, South Padre Island Beaches; Gulf of Mexico, Tx · NOAAORR-8055

issued
2009-07-22 00:00Z
status
cancelled 2009-08-05 00:00Z
self-cancels
2009-08-05 00:00Z
authority
NOAA OR&R
sea
Gulf of Mexico
position
26.115, -97.164
source
incidentnews · first seen 2026-09-03 15:09Z

Original warning text

Mystery Tarballs, South Padre Island Beaches; Gulf of Mexico, TX.
Gulf of Mexico, TX.
1. NOAA was notified by the Texas General Land Office (TGLO) of tarballs showing up on South Padre Island beaches. According to TGLO, the oil began washing ashore around daybreak this morning (July 22). NOAA support has not yet been requested by the USCG.
2. THREAT: OIL. COMMODITY: UNKNOWN OIL (TARBALLS AND SHEEN). TAGS: MYSTERY SUBSTANCE.
3. POSITION 26.115N 097.164W. NOAA INCIDENTNEWS 8055: https://incidentnews.noaa.gov/incident/8055

This area · spills & pollution incidents

57 within 180 nm since 1988 · 0 in the last 12 months · 0 in force now

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Nearby now · within 120 nm

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8 spills & pollution incidents in force · see all

Spills

Oil and chemical spills, groundings and vessel casualties with a pollution threat: NOAA IncidentNews responses since 1957, and spill-response areas broadcast as navigational warnings. All current spills & pollution incidents

Not for navigation. This is a re-rendering of an official navigational warning for awareness; mariners must use official NAVAREA broadcasts and their national MSI service.