BP official says storm could stir tar, company is prepared

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - Those who make a living on the Gulf Coast are wrestling with a question in the days leading up to the arrival of tropical storm Isaac: What happens if the storm stirs up tar mats and other leftover oil from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill?

Ray Melick, a representative of British Petroleum, said BP is ready to respond.

“We know that there's a chance that there's some product that's been covered up that will be uncovered,” Melick said.

He said the company’s recent efforts to get back out to barrier islands are a response to the possibility.

“We don't think there is going to be anything that we're not prepared for,” Melick said. “We know there are some natural collection points where there are some tar balls. We know a few near-shore submerged mats that are there, so that's kind of what we're expecting.”

He said BP is still under the direction of the federal on-scene coordinator of the cleanup, so they will see what survey crews discover and go from there.