LOS ANGELES (CNS) — Thanks to rain that doused much of the area, county health officials issued a warning Wednesday for residents to think twice about entering ocean waters near discharging storm drains, creeks or rivers.
The county Department of Public Health issued a beach water use advisory that will be in effect until 7:30 a.m. Saturday, noting that bacteria, chemicals, debris and trash can be carried into the ocean by storm runoff. Such advisories are typically issued after significant rainfall, and remain in place for 72 hours.
Prior to the rain, the county previously issued health warnings for several Southland beaches due to elevated bacteria levels during recent testing.
The county urged people to avoid swimming, surfing, and playing in ocean waters at:
- Manhattan Beach Pier;
- Hermosa Beach Pier;
- Redondo Beach Pier;
- Avenue I storm drain at Redondo Beach;
- Torrance Beach at Malaga Cove;
- Santa Monica Pier;
- Mother's Beach in Marina del Rey.
Recorded information on beach conditions is available 24-hours a day on the county's beach closure hotline at 1-800-525-5662.