Tropical storm Bonnie is threatening to halt efforts to plug BP’s crude oil leak in the Gulf of Mexico.

ON HOLD

The storm is already creating rough waters and dangerous conditions for relief workers and is expected to create near fatal conditions in the coming days. Vessels and rigs are set to move away from the work zone, among these vehicles is the ship currently drilling a relief well that is set to permanently stop the leak mid-August. The delay is expected to last between 10-14 days.

Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal declared a state of emergency as the storm is forecast to hit the state’s coast on Sunday with winds up to an estimated 40 mph.

Last week, BP was finally able to cap the leak but it is only a temporary measure. It was the first time since the initial April 20th leak that the steady flow of crude oil devastating surrounding water and wildlife has been stemmed. The cap will remain in place and be monitored during the 2 week halt in other activities. This is a worry to many however, as they are concerned about the amount of pressure being placed upon the temporary blockage.

“It is a concern. The cap is only a temporary measure. the fact they’ve had to draw back to the coast is quite a worry,” said Doug Youngson, oil analyst at brokerage Arbuthnot

“The pressure is building up. There is a risk it blows off,” he added.

So far, estimates as to the cost of this disaster are somewhere between $15 and $60 billion, with years of environmental recovery ahead. There are on-going efforts to help the thousands of animals that have been endangered by this, the largest oil spill in history.

You can help to support on-going environmental relief with the work of organizations such as the WWF, who provide both emergency short-term relief wherever needed and longer term solutions to the challenges facing our planet.