Politics & Government

LB Health Dept.: Stay out of Ocean Water Due to Rain

Rainfall, which set a new record, prompted Long Beach officials to warn against entering ocean water due to unhealthy bacterial matter that is washed through urban centers to the sea.

The record rainfall in Long Beach, where showers are forecast Tuesday, prompted the City Health Officer to warn against entering the water at beaches for three days.

Rainfall of .47 set a new May 6 record, breaking the previous record of .14 of an inch set in 1994. More is in store for the first half of the day, but when it ends, the word is to stay out of the ocean water for three days.

"Dr. Mitchell Kushner, has issued a rain advisory for recreational beaches and bays in the City of Long Beach following the rain experienced in the last 24 hours," the city announced mid-afternoon Monday. "After any significant rainfall, unhealthy conditions may result from increased runoff from storm drain outlets and rivers, which eventually reach the City’s beaches. Recreational swimming areas should be avoided for three days following the end of a rainstorm."

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Given the forcast for likely showers Tuesday morning, the water notice may last until at least Friday morning.

 A rainfall record of 0.38 inches was set at Long Beach Airport Monday, breaking the old record of 0.14 set in 1994, according to the National Weather Service.

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"State law requires all local public health agencies with recreational swimming areas to notify the public when conditions might affect the health of swimmers," said Further information may be obtained from the Health Department’s Water Quality Information Line at (562) 570-4199, or online at http://www.longbeach.gov/health/eh/water/water_samples.asp

The rain Sunday night through Monday exceeded 0.1", according to the National Weather Service station at the Long Beach Airport. "After any significant rainfall, unhealthy conditions may result from increased runoff from storm drain outlets and rivers, which eventually reach the City’s beaches. Recreational swimming areas should be avoided for three days following the end of a rainstorm," the city noted. 

State law requires all local public health agencies with recreational swimming areas to notify the public when conditions might affect the health of swimmers. Further information may be obtained from the Health Department’s Water Quality Information Line at (562) 570-4199, or online at http://www.longbeach.gov/health/eh/water/water_samples.asp

--City News Service contributed to this report.


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