Stay Out Of The Water: All LA County Beaches Under Rain Advisory

All Los Angeles County beaches are under an ocean water quality rain advisory until at least 7 a.m. Saturday morning. People are being warned to avoid contact with the water because of potentially high bacteria levels.

What is an ocean water quality rain advisory?

This kind of advisory can be declared by the L.A. County Department of Public Health after a significant rainfall.

The rain run-off may carry bacteria, chemicals, debris, trash, and other public health hazards from inland city streets and mountain areas out into the ocean.

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This contamination can increase bacterial levels in the water, especially around storm drains, creeks, rivers, and other waterways. The rain run-off may also contaminate beach sand.

It could take three days or longer for bacteria levels to return to normal. In the meantime, coming into contact with the ocean during a rain advisory could cause illness, especially for children and seniors.

This advisory could be extended by the Department of Public Health if there is another round of significant rain.

What areas are affected?

The advisory covers most of the L.A. County coastline from Leo Carrillo State Beach all the way down to San Pedro. It also includes several beaches around the city of Avalon on Catalina Island.