Portuguese Man of War Invade Gulf Coast Beaches

Video
Map

Enlarge Video

Download Video

Video RSS

Embed:

WKRG.com Related Resources

More –› Related Articles

News –› Florida

News –› Pensacola

Discuss this in the forum

By Debbie Williams Reporter

M50o93H7pQ09L8X1t49cHY01Z5j4TT91fGfr Portuguese Man of War Invade Gulf Coast Beaches

Published: Mon, March 31, 2008 - 5:46 pm

Debbie Williams

Gulf coast beaches are being invaded by something more dangerous than spring breakers.
Portuguese man of war are washing ashore from Pensacola to Gulf Shores and that's reason enough to stay out of the water.
With overcast skies, a misty rain and strong easterly winds, it wasn't the best day to be on the beach and most everyone stayed away except for one visitor that is not welcome, Portuguese man of war.
Purple flags are up in Pensacola, Orange Beach and Gulf Shores warning swimmers of the danger. What may look like an air-filled, bluish-purple balloon according to director of Orange Beach aquatics, Melvin Shepard is dangerous and can be deadly. "They can cause very intense pain when you're stung last for several days. One of the best remedies is hot water most cases medical treatment is needed because of the intense pain it cause."
What makes the man of war so dangerous, are the tentacles and just because they are out of the water doesn't mean they can't still hurt you.
"They can sting for several days. If they wash up on the beach still don't touch them they can still sting you and that sting is very painful," says Shepard.
He expects the man of war to stay around for a while and until they are gone, purple flags will keep flying.
The man of wars tentacles can stretch to more than thirty feet long.
If you touch them, you may end up with a painful and possibly paralyzing sting.
A sting can also cause difficulties in breathing and nausea.

News Map