North Carolina officials advise against swimming at several beaches due to high bacteria levels and man-of-war swarms.
CAPE LOOKOUT, N.C. — Five beaches across North Carolina are experiencing two dangers that are keeping people out of the water, one is visible, the other, not so much.
North Carolina health officials warned beach-goers against swimming at three beaches after heavy rain caused runoff, bringing high levels of bacteria to the water.
According to the NC Recreational Water Quality Program, the beach with the most serious bacteria problem is on the sound side across from Whiskey Creek along the Intracoastal Waterway near marker #135 in Wilmington.
Test results found bacteria levels exceeded state and federal action levels of 104 enterococci per 100 milliliters.
Enterococci is an indication of fecal contamination in water and is commonly found in the intestines of warm-blooded animals.
Swimming advisories were issued for part of the Outer Banks at a spot in Dare County, and bacteria levels in the Roanoke Sound exceeded state and federal standards as well.
While the advisory doesn’t mean the beach is closing, it does mean it is in place for any water 200 feet from the sign.
The beach troubles don’t stop there, though.
A swarm of Portuguese Man-of-War has been washing ashore on the Outer Banks.
Fire crews told CBS affiliate WNCN that man-of-war are blue or purple with balloon-like floats on the water’s surface or washed up on the sand. The organisms have long, thread-like tentacles that are painful.
Although the blue blobs look cool, officials are warning beach-goers to exercise caution around them.
“Their tentacles can pose a risk to bare feet even after the organism has died. So, let’s keep our beach fun and safe by avoiding attempts to pop the blue float,” wrote Cape Lookout on Facebook.
