Several GIS companies have quickly come together to pool their resources at tracking the growing Gulf Oil Spill via ArcGIS Online.  ESRI and others are posting maps, predictions, and satellite imagery to aid in coordination of recovery efforts.  From AnyGeo:

Users and emergency responders working in the area are invited to contact the team in order to join the group and share their related apps, services, data and resources. See the ArcGIS Online (BETA) ESRI Gulf Oil Spill Response
To date several interesting web services have been published including:

  • Gulf coast oil spill plume showing approx trajectory
  • Environmental Sensitivity map
  • Electronic navigational charts

I agree with AnyGeo, KUDOS to ESRI for picking up the challenge!

ArcGIS Online – Group Content.