Like clockwork, the Long Beach Health Department advises avoiding all contact with local beaches after rainstorms hit Southern California last night. City Health Officer Dr. Helene Calvet warns against contact with lagoons, rivers and storm drains for at least 72 hours after rainfall.
Rainfall stirs up toxins and debris that enter local storm drains, oceans and beaches. Much of the trouble stems from massive amounts of pollutants and debris runoff that is sent down the Los Angeles River, spewed into Long Beach. Because the river is nearly all concrete, the toxins are not absorbed into any soil and make a beeline for Long Beach waters.
Dangerous levels of bacteria are being monitored by the City, and residents are urged to heed warning signs on local beaches.
By Ryan ZumMallen, Managing Editor