Suffolk Closes 64 Beaches After Heavy Rainfall

SUFFOLK COUNTY, NY — Suffolk County Department of Health Services has issued an advisory against bathing at 64 beaches after the heavy rainfall due to high levels of bacteria, officials said.

The beaches include 23 in Huntington, 21 in Brookhaven, 10 in Islip, five in Smithtown, three in Babylon, and one in East Hampton.

The beaches include popular destinations like Corey Beach in Blue Point, Havens Beach in Sag Harbor, Tanner Park in Copiague, and Centerport Beach.

For a list of beaches, click here.

The beaches covered by the advisory are located in areas that are heavily influenced by stormwater runoff from the surrounding watersheds or adjacent tributaries, and, because of their location in an enclosed embayment, experience limited tidal flushing, officials said.

It is recommended that bathing and other water contact be suspended in the affected areas until the waters have been flushed by two successive tidal cycles – at least a 24 hours – after the rain has ended, according to officials.

The advisory will be lifted Wednesday at 7 a.m. unless sampling reveals elevated levels of bacteria persisting beyond the 24-hour period, officials said.

MORE INFORMATION:

For the latest information on affected beaches, call the Bathing Beach hotline at 631-852-5822, or contact the Department's Office of Ecology at 631-852-5760, or visit the website link: www.suffolkcountyny.gov/health.

Beach Monitoring Program information -
http://www.suffolkcountyny.gov/Departments/HealthServices/EnvironmentalQuality/Ecology/BeachMonitoringProgram.aspx

Interactive map of beach closures/advisories- https://ny.healthinspections.us/ny_beaches/