Dozens of beaches and swimming areas across Connecticut have been temporarily closed to swimmers after heavy rainfall prompted health officials to issue precautionary closures because of elevated bacteria concerns.
Many local and state health officials automatically close swimming areas after significant rainfall because stormwater runoff can carry bacteria and other contaminants into lakes, ponds and coastal waters. Most beaches are expected to reopen after follow-up testing or once local reopening criteria are met.
Here's where swimming is currently prohibited:
All public beaches are closed, including:
Island Beach and Great Captain's Island remain open.
Officials say the closures follow Tuesday's storms, which dumped heavy rainfall across much of the state and caused widespread flooding in some communities.
In West Haven, powerful floodwaters carved deep channels through portions of the city's shoreline, causing significant erosion and infrastructure damage.
Residents planning a trip to the beach are encouraged to check with their local health department or municipality before heading out, as beach statuses can change quickly following additional water quality testing.
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