Tar washing up in Long Beach, Pass Christian

LONG BEACH — Cleanup crews were working Wednesday to clean up fairly large pieces of tar washing ashore in Long Beach and eastern Pass Christian.

“There is oil sheen in the water and also tar patties in the water,” said Long Beach Mayor Billy Skellie. “We also have tar patties on the beach.”

Harrison County Emergency Manager Rupert Lacy said some “pancake-size” tar patties — a little larger than what has generally been washing ashore on the mainland — were being cleaned from the beaches. He said there were no reports of oil streamers or globs, just the tar, and that crews appeared to be keeping ahead of the debris.