Ida: Officials Advise Against Swimming At 64 Suffolk Beaches

SUFFOLK COUNTY, NY — The heavy rainfall from the fallout of Hurricane Ida could cause high levels of residual bacteria from the runoff, according to the Suffolk County Department of Health Services. As a result, the department on Thursday issued an advisory against swimming at 64 county beaches.

The beaches covered by the advisory are in areas heavily influenced by stormwater runoff from the surrounding watersheds or adjacent tributaries and, because of their location in enclosed embayments, experience limited tidal flushing, according to the department.

The department recommends that swimming and other water contact be suspended in the listed areas until the waters have been flushed by two successive tidal cycles after the rain has ended. The advisory is set to be lifted at 8:30 a.m. Friday unless sampling conducted by the department reveals high levels of bacteria.

For those interested, here is an interactive map of beach closures and advisories.