WILMINGTON, N.C. (WECT) – The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality has lifted a precautionary swimming advisory previously issued for nearly the entirety of the state’s coast, but one beach in the Cape Fear region is confirmed to be impacted by elevated levels of bacteria.
State officials spent Monday and Tuesday testing ocean water along the coast for enterococci bacteria, an indicator species of bacteria associated with E. coli, salmonella, and hepatitis, among other infections. The bacteria is often found in higher levels after heavy rainfall, and the precautionary advisory was put in place last week to caution against swimming in Tropical Storm Debby’s aftermath.
According to a Wednesday release, only the Caswell Beach Public Access Beach in Brunswick County and a site in Dare County have higher levels of bacteria, lifting the advisory at all other locations along the coast.
Putting your head underwater and ingesting ocean water in locations with elevated bacteria levels puts you at higher risk for getting sick, according to Shannon Jenkins with North Carolina’s Division of Marine Fisheries. Previous storms have led to complaints from swimmers who have gotten sick.
“We’d just urge caution in those areas, especially for kids, or elderly population or pregnant women who are more prone to being affected by these waters,” Jenkins said.
Even outside of Caswell Beach, though, officials are saying it’s crucial to be careful if you go swimming in the ocean over the upcoming days. Carolina Beach waved a yellow flag on Wednesday after showing red flags over portions of the last few days, and Tropical Storm Ernesto is expected to bring rip current and swelling risks at the end of this week.
“We can’t emphasize it enough that when the lifeguards are flying the flags and they’re telling you about these conditions, it’s not to be taken lightly – it’s very serious,” said Carolina Beach Ocean Rescue Captain Shawn Kelly. “They’re out there for a reason and they know very well the dangers that are present, and they’re trying to keep you and your family as safe as possible.”
Jenkins said officials will continue to test affected areas until it’s safe for advisories to be lifted, and will also soon begin testing sounds around the state for bacteria levels.
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