Beaches monitored in 2010 continued to experience lingering impacts from hurricanes Katrina, Rita (August and September 2005, respectively), and Gustav and Ike (September 2008). Use of Cameron Parish Beaches remained below pre-storm levels, although they are slowly recovering as the area is rebuilt, and Hackberry Beach remained inaccessible. Although Louisiana experienced no direct hurricane impacts during 2010, the oil spill that resulted from the April 20, 2010, explosion on the BP leased Deepwater Horizon offshore drilling platform affected most coastal beaches on the eastern half of the state. Oil flowed from the damaged well for three months following the explosion until it was capped on July 15, 2010, although closures at some beaches continued through the end of the swimming season due to persistent oil fouling and the presence of cleanup crews. Use at the remaining beaches during 2010 was at approximately historic levels.
