Los Angeles County health officials are encouraging beachgoers to stay out of the water until at least Saturday.
As typically happens when the region is affected by rainfall, ocean water can be “contaminated with bacteria, chemicals, debris, trash, and other public health hazards from city streets and mountain areas after a rain fall,” the Department of Public Health said in a news release.
This is especially true near “discharging storm drains, creeks, and rivers” and includes “any runoff that may flow onto or pond on the beach sand,” officials added.
To avoid illness, Public Health warns the public to stay out of the water for at least 72 hours after it last rains, meaning this advisory will remain in place until at least 3 a.m. Saturday.
“This advisory may be extended depending on further rainfall,” the release said.
For information, call the county’s beach closure hotline at 1-800-525-5662 or visit PublicHealth.LACounty.gov/Beach.
