guest we've been talking about, most of the beaches are still open but it is very much enter at your own risk. you're having to dodge in most cases, tar balls and oil sliks. health advisories will r in effect. strong winds over the weekend solid the beaches even more and that is keeping summer visitors away in droves. as john reports tonight, it is an economic disaster for resort towns all along the gulf coast. take a look. >> reporter: fireworks lit up the sky over gulf shores, alabama. unlike some oil communities that decided tonight light up the sky, gulf shores used it as a drawing card. >> we are doing anything we can to encourage people to come and enjoy the coast. >> reporter: some came but most didn't. on a typical fourth of july, you would see more bodies and blankets than the sand itself. not this year. unlike the fireworks, the beach crowd, well, a dud.