Closure signs, like the one seen here in May, again dot San Clemente beaches after an 8-foot shark was spotted Monday morning.(Photo courtesy of Jeff Antenore)

An 8-foot shark sighted by multiple people prompted city beaches in San Clemente to close Monday afternoon.

The sighting was first reported at 10:45 a.m. after multiple witnesses saw the shark outside the pier, according to a city announcement. The shark was then confirmed by a lifeguard working the pier tower.

Lifeguards hovered a drone in the area about 11:30 a.m. and saw the shark just outside of the surf near T-street, just south of the pier.

The closure spans from North Beach to Lost Winds for four hours, with plans to lift the closure at 3:30 p.m.

We have cleared the water, posted signs, updated surf tape and web page and are flying the red flag, according to the announcement.

Originally posted here:

San Clemente beaches closed after 8-foot shark sighting near pier - OCRegister

By Samantha Hourihan, Special to North Jersey Media Group 8:00 a.m. ET June 26, 2017

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Bathers at Upper Saddle Rivers Anona Park, circa 1930(Photo: courtesy of Kay Yeomans)

From (201) Magazine archives: This story was originally published in the July 2006 issue.

Dig your toes into the warm sand. Wade into the cool water. Swim out to the diving platform and take a plunge from the high diving board. Sidle up to a picnic bench and snack on a boxed lunch. Stick around til after dark on a Friday evening and enjoy a family movie while little ones prance in front of large outdoor screens. And, if youre lucky, listen to live music and dance on a wooden-plank floor placed beneath a string of lights that swings in the summer breeze. Thats how residents and tourists who frequented Bergens sand-bottom pools escaped the seasonal heat for a good part of the 20th century.

Wealthy Bergen industrialists bought the properties usually including a dam, pond or stream and converted them into bathing beaches. These developers recognized Bergens potential as an important recreational destination. Sand reminded people of the shore without the travel and the inconvenience.

Some of the pools are gone, butseveral community-based sand-bottom pools still dot Bergens landscape.

Kay Yeomans, historian for Upper Saddle River, has fond memories of Anona Park, the pool built by her husbands grandfather in 1929.

People came up from all the big cities and rented picnic tables in the grove, she says. Theyd put the old wooden ice boxes by the tables, and that was their place for the summer. Anona was sold to a developer in 1968, and now is part of a homeowners association that has added tennis courts.

Allendales Brookside Racquet & Swim Club has a relatively new sand pool, constructed in the late 1960s. Chuck Elmes bought the property, excavated the site and trucked in sand from the Jersey shore to line the pond.

People enjoyed the gradual slope of the beach, explains Elmes. They didnt have to jump in, in order to get themselves wet. They could wade in the sand and play in the shallow water.

People were nostalgic about goingto the shore without the drive, Elmes continues. You could come to see friends from the area and have a good time outdoors and feel safe.

For many who still spread out their beach towels on the sandy shores of their local pools, that good-time outdoors feeling still remains.

I love going to Graydon in thesummertime, says 9-year-old Rachel Pizzuti, Ridgewood. I see all my friends there. I get to swim and play in the sand five minutes from my house.

Upper Saddle Rivers Anona Park, circa 1930(Photo: courtesy of Kay Yeomans)

Built just before the Stock Market crashed in 1929, Anona Park is one of the longest surviving sand-bottom pools in Bergen.

Brookside was designed to give visitors the feeling of a complete social outing. Picnic groves complemented the beach where swimmers could play in the sandor frolic in the shallow water.

Vintage Bergen: Long-gone drive-in theaters

Aerial Photo - Brookside Raquet Club 480 Brookside Ave Allendale(Photo: Michael Bocchieri, North Jersey Media Group)

Crestwood Lake on Crestwood Avenue, Allendale has been in recreational existence since 1928. The Crestwood Cruisers Swim Team, for children ages 7 to 17, invites all eager swimmers who can swim at least 25 yards to swim in the summer community league and compete against other sand pool teams in the county.

Crestwood Lake, Allendale, in 1970(Photo: Stuart Davis)

Darlington County Park, part of the Bergen County Department of Parks, offers two sand-bottom pools, basketball courts, tennis courts, and handball courts.With a permit, larger groups may hold picnics on the grounds from Memorial Day through Labor Day.

Darlington County Park, Mahwah, in 1965(Photo: the record archives)

Graydon has experienced a number of renovations since this photo was taken, but the parking lots of this village pool still overflow on a hot summer afternoon.

Graydon Pool, Ridgewood in 1957.(Photo: The Ridgewood News archives)

More on Graydon: 'There's just something homey about Graydon'

Memorial Pool and Walsh Pool provide Fair Lawn residents with hours of fun with rafts, slides and even a sand castle sculpture contest held in August.

Memorial Pool, Fair Lawn, in 1949(Photo: The Ridgewood News archive)

The Old Mill Bathing Beach, the ruins of which can still be found at 189 Paramus Road, has a familiar and often-photographed entrance. (Episode 22 ofThe Sopranos, From Where to Eternity, was shot on location at the Old Mill.)The Paramus Bathing Beach (not shown) was a 1932 structure that survived until it was boarded up in 1962. A housing development was constructed on the site in the 1980s.

The Old Mill Bathing Beach, Paramus, in 1962(Photo: Gordon Corbett jr., The Record)

Lake Idle Wild Bathing Beach delighted bathers with an extra feature a childrens zoo.

Lake Idle Wild Bathing Beach, Old Tappan, in 1984(Photo: Steven Auchard)

The grand-daddy of Bergen sand-bottom pools was Woodcliff Lakes Old Mill Pond Bathing Beach. The pool dated to the early 20th century and was among the very first of the countys pools.

Old Mill Pond Bathing Beach, Woodcliff Lake, in 1971(Photo: Emmett Francois/The Record)

More vintage photos:Follow @TheRecordArchives on Instagram

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Archive: Bathing Beauties: 'Beaches' of Bergen mark the sands of time - NorthJersey.com

Want to go somewhere insanely gorgeous, where you can lay in the sun and not feel overwhelmed by throngs of tourists? These are the beaches for you.

The beach is where you can brazenly exhibit the most Vitamin-D-deficient parts of your body, drink something strong and slushy at any hour of the day, or squat down to look at tiny sea creatures in warm tide pools and tilt your head up to look at towering cliffs behind. The beach is, undeniably, where you get to live your best life.

That is, except when the pristine sand is littered with abandoned trash bags or the natural beauty factor is low or youre surrounded by swarms of underage college freshman who think Icing is a fun drinking game. While coasts have come to be synonymous with paradise, the beach can also be a place where you immediately come to hate every surrounding strangerpast, present, and future.

These 12 beaches, from a hippie nudist haven in the south of Mexico to a secluded cove in Greece, are the former: places that may not make every Top Beach list or draw the largest hordes of tourists in the region, but could, if thats what these beaches were all about. You should add at least one of them to your summer bucket list, stat. (Just remember to pack some sunscreen.)

Praia da Dona Ana in Lagos, Portugal The southernmost region of continental Portugal, Algarve has no shortage of picturesque beachesand Dona Ana is the most. Clear blue water washes up on golden sand, which is surrounded by steep, ochre-colored strata cliffs. Plus, its not a long walk from Central Lagos, where youll want to head after the beach to grab a frothy beer and a bifana, a sauteed pork sandwich on a crusty roll that is the Portuguese equivalent of a hamburger.

Zipolite Beach in Oaxaca, Mexico This beach has a bit of a reputation as a hangout spot for nudists and yogis and aging hippies; its that, but also more. Located in the south of Mexicos southern state, Oaxaca, Zipolite is where the iconic beach scenes in Y Tu Mama Tambien were filmed and is perfect for lounging on while feasting on just-caught fish and sucking down coconut water out of the hacked-open fruit. While you can swim here, exercise cautionthe beach has gained the nickname Beach of the Dead because of its dangerously strong undercurrents.

Navagio Beach in Greece Known as both Shipwreck Beach and Smugglers Cove, small Navagio Beach is home to the remains of the Panagiotis, a shipping vessel that crashed on the coast of Zakynthos in 1983. Surrounded by rocky coves, the the secluded beach is only accessible by, ironically, boat. (From Porto Vromi, taxi boats leave every hour, and the ride takes approximately half an hour.)

Bathsheba Beach in Barbados On Barbadoss rugged East Coast lies Bathsheba, a village thats home to a community of fishermen and their families. Head to the coast for the beach, which features dramatic, ancient rock formations that were once part of coral reefs and white sand. This area is also called the Soup Bowl and attracts international surfers for competitions. Non-surfers, dont miss the rum shacks.

New Chums Beach in New Zealand Hidden in Wainuiototo Bay on the northeast coast of New Zealands Coromandel Peninsula, New Chums Beach is a nearly-kilometer-long stretch of golden-white sand, native forest, and no buildings or infrastructure. As one of New Zealands last undeveloped beaches, this spot is perfect for those looking to escape any trace of mankind.

Mancora Beach in Peru Perus neighbor to the east may be known for its beaches and tiny bathing suits, but the Land of the Incas has Mancora, a small fishing village with a long strip of sunny beaches on the northern Pacific coast. While Mancora is the most popular beach on Perus North Shore, this area is no Rio de Janeiro. After a long day of sunning, stop in the center of the village for a plate of ceviche and a strong maracuya (passionfruit) daiquiri.

Railay Beach in Thailand Like other beaches on this list, Railay is only accessible by boat due to the steep limestone cliffs that prohibit access from the mainland; like the other beaches, the short trip is worth it. This small peninsula on in the south of Thailand is actually composed of four beaches, none of which are the wrong choice. Because its frequently ranked as one of the worlds most beautiful beaches, the beach can sometimes get crowded. But, because of its beauty, you probably wont really care.

El Matador Beach in Malibu, California North of Zuma Beach and South of La Piedra Beach lies El Matador, just six miles north of Malibu on the Pacific Coast Highway. With massive rocks and sea caves, the romantic beach is only accessible by winding down a steep gravel path and is not staffed by lifeguards, so its not the best place to bring kids (pro or con, you decide!). Youll probably see some extremely-in-love couples tenderly holding each other while a photographer captures the candid moment here.

Poipu Beach in Kauai While Oahu and Maui draw the most tourists of all the Hawaiian islands, Kauai, nicknamed the Garden Isle, has some of the states most picturesque beaches. Poipu Beach, on the islands sunnier south shore, is one of the most popular and safest for swimming, snorkeling, and even surfing. Made up of two small bays, the beaches are separated by a jutting sandbar thats often home to the islands endangered monk seal. They are cute as hell, but leave them alone.

Sand Beach in Maine This beautiful, tiny beach is located in Maines Acadia National Park, which spreads over Mount Desert Island, Isle au Haut, and the Schoodic Peninsula. The water never gets especially warm (it rarely exceeds 55 degrees even in the summer), but youre here to admire the surrounding granite mountains and the eponymous sand. With sand and pink-hued minerals, the beach is primarily composed of tiny shell fragments that the tide has broken down over thousands of years.

Shi Shi Beach in Washington This beach can get busy with campers on warm summer weekends, and understandably: Its one of the Olympic Coasts most comically beautiful spots, with its tide pools and sea stacks and coastal forest. Hike through the forest, walk along the the tide, or pitch a tent for an overnight stay here. If you happen to choose an especially busy weekend to camp here, intimidate others and prove that youre worthy of your spot by saying the name the name correctly, which is pronounced shy shy.

Dry Tortugas in Florida We knowFlorida beaches, how unoriginal. Dry Tortugas Beach, however, is not a Ft. Lauderdale or a Siesta Key or even a Miami. Located at the end of the Florida Keys in the Gulf of Mexico, this powdery-sand beach in Dry Tortugas National Park is only accessible by ferry or seaplane, and is therefore much less crowded than the states other coasts. Bring snorkel gear and swim among the sea turtles in the peaceful, aquamarine water.

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These Are the Best Beaches in The World - GQ Magazine

Image sent to CBS12 by viewer, Kayla.

A perfect day at the beach turns tragic as lifeguards jumped into rescue swimmers caught in rough currents, Sunday afternoon.

A CBS12 viewer sent us cell phone video after one person was pulled from the surf along Ocean Reef Park.

Beachgoers nervously looked on as first responders performed CPR on the distressed swimmer.

Three other swimmers were pulled from the water less than a mile away at City Beach Municipal Park.

Family members shared a photo of a teenage boy from Pahokee to CBS12, one of the four rescued.

Were learned late Sunday night the 14-year-old passed away.

Dwayne Watson with Riviera Beach Fire Rescue said strong rip currents may be to blame.

When youre dealing with open water incidents, you have the potential to have catastrophic consequences and use a safety conscious whenever youre out in the water, if you cant swim use common sense to stay near a life guard, said Watson.

Watson wants to remind beachgoers to pay attention to the warning flags posted along the beach.

It serves as a cautionary sign; it could save your life.

Always check to see if there are rip currents before you go out swimming. And just try to stay close to the shore as possible if you cant swim, said Watson.

The other near drowning victims on Singer Island were taken to area hospitals.

Investigators have not yet released their conditions or identities.

In addition to the four rescued in Riviera Beach, there were seven rescues in Palm Beach County. Palm Beach County Fire Rescue says two patients were rescued in Lake Worth Beach, four in Jupiter Beach, and one person at Burt Reynolds Park. The total ocean rescue efforts for Palm Beach County is 11 for Sunday.

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4 swimmers rescued on Singer Island, family says teen passed away - WPEC

by Caroline Torie, WSBT 22 Reporter

Officials say Indiana Dunes are safe after toxic spill // WSBT 22 PHOTO

The EPA says the lake water is safe, even after a company admitted they leaked a toxic chemical into a Lake Michigan tributary this spring.

U.S. Steel accidentally released hexavalent chromium into the Burns Waterway in Portage this April.

The EPA along with the National Park Service needed to determine if that chemical leak would affect visitors and wildlife at the dunes.

Hexavalent chromium is a toxic byproduct of industrial processes. If ingested, it might be carcinogenic.

Scientists have tested hundreds of water and soil samples every week since that spill happened -- and they say there have been no environmental impacts from the release. They've found no significant trace of the industrial chemical within five miles of the leak.

To ensure public safety, the EPA and the park service will continue to test the area through the summer.

Those tests are just one of the things the National Park Service at the Indiana Dunes is doing to ensure their beaches, trails and waterways are safe and ready for millions of visitors this summer.

They have also cleared parking lots covered with tons of sand, rebuilt sand paths and boardwalks down to the beaches, and put buoys out in the water.

A lot of Indiana Dunes visitors say they come to the beach often.

"We only live about 10 minutes away from the beach which is pretty great," says Bradley Hatfield, a Portage Beach visitor.

But the April chemical spill in the Burns Waterway put his summer plans -- and millions of others -- in jeopardy.

"We had a bit of a scare in early April," says Bruce Rowe, Spokesman for the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore.

Beaches were closed for a weekend to determine if the release of the the toxic hexavalent chromium would affect visitors or the environment.

"Fortunately we found absolutely no traces of it on any of our nearby beaches," says Rowe.

Every week since then, and now for the rest of the summer, the EPA and the National Park Service will test the water and soil for that chemical. They also test all beaches for E. coli.

"And if we find that, we close the lifeguarded beaches," Rowe says.

The Park Service is also focused on Mt. Baldy. The sand dune has been closed since 2013 after a young boy was swallowed by the sand but miraculously survived.

"We do offer some ranger led hikes on one little trail up there that is safe," says Rowe. "And we are working towards opening up the beach in front of it that's probably going to be later this summer or even into the fall before we can add that."

More than 15 miles of beach line the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore. It's a lot of work for those who maintain it, but plenty for visitors to enjoy.

"If you could come out there during the week, you may find a lot of miles of beach that you can enjoy yourself," says Rowe. "If you come out on those weekends get here early so you can get a parking spot and enjoy your visit."

US Steel is working with the EPA to make sure there are no long-term effects from that spill.

The Indiana Dunes offers over 200 programs throughout the summer, including guided hikes up Mt. Baldy, campfires on the beach, and kayaking and paddle boarding. And for the first time in decades, more lifeguards will allow swimming seven days per week on both the eastern and western portions of the beach. For more information, visit their website.

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EPA says Indiana Dunes beaches safe after toxic spill | WSBT - WSBT-TV

As plastic erodes, it releases chemicals into the environment, and because mass use of plastics is relatively new, scientists dont quite know the implications of all these chemicals on the human body or the ecosystem.

PANAMA CITY The worlds most beautiful beaches are experiencing an apocalypse an apocalypse of plastic.

Kurt Cox, a geologist, writer and Panama City native, has spent the last three years combing the shores of the Panhandle all 70 miles from Destin to Port St. Joe collecting all the plastic debris he can find. Hes done the loop three times, including the shores along the Bay and marshes, and has collected a total of almost 6,000 pounds of trash.

Ive spent a lot of time by myself out there, and sometimes I get a little disgusted with humanity when Im out doing a beach cleanup, he said.

Cox didnt set out to become a one-man cleanup operation, he said during a recent Citizen Scientist talk at Gulf Coast State College. Hes always liked walking the beaches, and one day, when out on Redfish Point, he came across an unsightly pile of plastic.

I thought, 'Ill pick up this trash today so I dont need need to look at it next week,' Cox recalled.

Sure enough, when he returned, that section of beach was still clean. Unfortunately, once he walked a little farther down, he found more trash. He cleaned up that spot, too. And then the next spot, and the next, until hed covered the whole stretch of beach on his own.

I got into my mind that I was going to clean up every bit of beach on our local beaches, he said.

But being a scientist, Cox doesnt just pick up the plastic and throw it away; he documents it. Every piece he has collected going back to 2012 is detailed in a spreadsheet, outlining what it was, where he found it and a photo. Its so detailed that other scientists have contacted him, asking to see his research.

I can pretty much go back and re-create how many pounds of plastic marine debris came from how many yards of beach, he said.

But theres plenty of other trash on the beach glass bottles, aluminum cans, etc. Why focus on only plastic?

A few reasons, Cox answered. First, glass and aluminum are natural materials. Glass erodes down to sand, and aluminum is an element and wont necessarily harm the environment the way plastic does.

Plastic is different, he said. Plastic is a man-made thing. Its oil and natural gas, so its not really natural for it to be out in our oceans.

As plastic erodes, it releases chemicals into the environment, and because mass use of plastics is relatively new, scientists dont quite know the implications of all these chemicals on the human body or the ecosystem. Plastic, inevitably, is entering the food chain, either through curious fish nibbling away at cups or balloons floating in the ocean, or through larger plastics eroding down into microplastic, which is then invariably eaten by plankton-consuming fish.

If its getting into the food chain, its getting into us, he said.

Everyone who goes out on the beaches or out on the water contributes to the amount of plastic that washes up on shore, but not all of it is local. Cox regularly finds items from Venezuela, the Caribbean andHaiti, among others. His farthest traveler is a table salt container from Morocco. That being said, there are some groups who contribute more than others, like recreational and commercial fishermen losing lures, nets, lobster tags, knives, fish scrapers and snuff packaging. He finds lots of dust masks and earplugs near the paper mill. Children, with their plastic toys and forgetful nature, are another big culprit.

Cox has gotten so good at identifying plastic debris, he can tell how long its been floating, based on sun exposure, barnacles and the distinct diamond-shaped bite marks from sea turtles. Different items also tend to accumulate in different places, like cigarette butts at Deep Water Point and rubber bands near Pier Park.

If I look at a pile of trash, I can most likely tell what beach it was picked up at, he said.

To share his finds and raise awareness of the sheer amount of plastic hes finding, Cox runs the Beach Plastic Apocalypse Facebook page. As for what people can do to reduce the amount of plastic getting into the oceans, he has a few simple tips use less plastic, especially single-use plastic; keep control of the plastics you do use; and next time youre at the beach, pick up any plastic you see around you.

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Panama City native on quest to rid beaches of plastic - The News Herald

BRUNSWICK COUNTY, NC (WWAY) With summer now in full swing, people from all over are visiting area beaches for some fun in the sun. However,mother nature can be deadly and so far this month four people have died in rip currents.

It is a dangerous reality that has many people heading to Brunswick County beaches concerned, especially with no lifeguards on site.

I had no idea that there wasnt any lifeguards on this beach, visitor, Savannah Hughes said.

There are no lifeguards on any beaches in Brunswick or Pender counties, including Holden Beach where many visitors and residents are worried for their childrens safety.

I have pros and cons on it really. Sometimes I think we need them and sometimes maybe not. But most of the time I really think that there should be some kind of security, resident, James McGrane said.

With deadly rip currents north of us, killing two people in Atlantic Beach and two in Emerald Isle, Hughes says there needs to be a lifeguard present.

The town should definitely have lifeguards on every beach, Hughes said. Because I dont know what to do, I dont have a clue. It makes me very nervous.

Holden Beach Town Manager David Hewett says the topic of lifeguards have been discussed before, but there is just not enough of a demand.

Circumstances at Holden Beach are very safe. And, you know, were known as a family beach and the service for lifeguards isnt needed, Hewett said.

Hewett adds rip currents are not as common in the area compared to Wrightsville Beach.

Although there are some that happen from time to time, and as always those are you know, present their own set of challenges and dangers. But for the most part the beaches in South Brunswick anyway are very safe, Hewett said.

However, McGrane can testify otherwise. Five years ago McGrane saved his grandchildren before being pulled out to sea by a rip current at Holden Beach.

We were out wading and it just happened, McGrane said. It wasnt rough that day. You know, seemingly rough or we wouldnt have been out there with the grandchildren.

It was a situation that could have taken a turn for the worse, especially with no one out there to help.

In the position I was in I would have definitely needed a lifeguard at that time. Cause it could have came out a different away, we dont know. We were just, like I said fortunate, McGrane said.

McGrane says the town should have lifeguards on duty at all times, but at the very least for holidays when the beaches are packed.

Experts say if you are caught in a rip current always try to remain calm, swim parallel to the shore and let the wave push you in. If you see someone who needs help call 911 first, but if you are on an unguarded beach and have to help, be sure to bring a flotation device with you.

Another suggestion, always check the water conditions for the beach plan on visiting. To find out that information, click here.

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Area beaches without lifeguards raising concerns after 4 drownings in NC - WWAY NewsChannel 3

The window for recreational harvesting of shellfish was short on several beaches in Clallam and Jefferson counties.

A week ago, the state Department of Health announced that the area from the Lyre River east to Dungeness Bay was open to recreational shellfish harvesting, an area that had been closed to harvesting since April 28 because of high levels of the marine biotoxin that causes paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) found in samples of shellfish.

The only closures then in effect on the North Olympic Peninsula were for butter clams and varnish clams in Discovery Bay, Sequim Bay and Kilisut Harbor including Mystery Bay, as well as the seasonal closures of Pacific coast beaches to all species.

That changed with recent tests that found high levels of PSP in samples of shellfish, Audrey Coyne, marine biotoxin coordinator for the state Department of Health, said Friday.

The areas between the Lyre River to the Jefferson County line, Discovery Bay and McCurdy Point west to the Clallam County line are now closed to recreational shellfish harvesting, the state said Friday.

The latest test from samples taken Wednesday showed 94 micrograms of PSP per 100 grams of shellfish tissue, Coyne said.

The action level for closure is 80 micrograms per 100 grams of tissue.

The June 13 test had shown levels to be well below that limit.

The levels did drop, Coyne said.

Rain and sunny weather can change the situation quickly, she said.

The state will continue routine testing.

Sequim Bay and Kilisut Harbor including Mystery Bay are open to all but the harvest of butter clams and varnish clams, which can hold toxins for a year.

Ocean beaches are in a seasonal closure now.

Symptoms of paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) can appear within minutes or hours and usually begin with tingling lips and tongue, moving to the hands and feet, followed by difficulty breathing and potentially death.

Toxins cannot be detected by sight or smell. Neither cooking nor freezing destroys biotoxins.

All species means clams, oysters, mussels and other invertebrates including the moon snail. The closures do not apply to shrimp.

Crab meat has not been known to contain biotoxins, but the guts can contain unsafe levels. To be safe, clean crab thoroughly and discard the guts (butter).

Recreational shellfish harvesters can get the latest information before they leave for the beach by visiting http://www.doh.wa.gov or phoning 800-562-5632.

The emergency regulation hotline is 866-880-5431.

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Biotoxin rise leads to closure of beaches to shellfish harvest ... - Peninsula Daily News

News & Observer

As Myrtle Beach reels from violence, NC beaches tout their 'family friendly' alternative News & Observer The day after last week's shootings in Myrtle Beach, a family showed up in Debbie Smith's office on Ocean Isle Beach looking for a room. The family, Smith said, had stayed in an Ocean Boulevard hotel in Myrtle Beach next to where a teenager fired seven ... and more »

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As Myrtle Beach reels from violence, NC beaches tout their 'family friendly' alternative - News & Observer

Nassau County health officials have closed a Glenwood Landing beach and are advising the public against swimming Saturday at 18 other beaches across the county.

County officials said the Saturday advisory was issued as a precautionary measure for beaches that have been previously identified as being impacted by storm water runoff.

Tappan Beach in Glenwood Landing was closed effective Saturday as a result of elevated bacteria levels until further notice, Nassau Health Department spokeswoman Mary Ellen Laurain said.

Thirteen North Shore beaches fall under the advisory, including: Centre Island Sound, Ransom, Stehli and Soundside beaches in Bayville; Creek Club and Lattingtown Beach in Lattingtown; Laurel Hollow Beach in Laurel Hollow; Morgan Sound and Pryibil Beach in Glen Cove; North Hempstead Beach Park in Port Washington; Piping Rock Beach Club in Locust Valley; Theodore Roosevelt Beach in Oyster Bay; and Sea Cliff Village Beach in Sea Cliff.

Five South Shore beaches are also under the advisory: Biltmore Beach Club and Philip Healey Beach in Massapequa; Hewlett Point Beach in East Rockaway; Island Park Beach in Island Park; and Merrick Estates Civic Association in Merrick.

The advisory is expected to be lifted at 9 a.m. Sunday, Laurain said.

For updated, recorded information on beach openings and closings, call the health department at 516-227-9700.

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Nassau warns against swimming at 18 beaches due to bacteria levels - Newsday

You can feel good about taking a dip here in the bu.

Heal the Bay, a nonprofit organization based in Santa Monica, released its 27th annual Beach Report Card on June 9 for 2016-17, and results came back with Malibu in pretty good shape. The group tests 416 beaches on the California coast, including 21 beaches in Malibu. Bacteria levels that could be harmful to human health are measured on a weekly basis, and a letter grade of A to F is assigned to each beach. The better the grade, the lower the chance of getting sick from going in the water.

Every year, Heal the Bay designates the Top Ten Beach Bummers, which are the 10 beaches with the worst dry weather water quality in the state. The Malibu area, embarrassingly, has made the list a number of times in the past. In 2009, Surfrider Beach made the list. In 2011, it was Topanga State Beach. The year 2012 gave the city the distinction of having half the beaches on the list: Marie Canyon, Surfrider Beach, Solstice Canyon, Escondido State Beach and Topanga State Beach. In 2013, Malibu Pier was on the list. However, over the past four years, the city has apparently cleaned up its act.

In the most recent 2016-17 report, two beaches in Malibu have actually made Heal the Bays Honor Roll, by getting A+ grades during all seasons and weather conditions year-round El Matador State Beach and Malibu Point (Surfrider Beach near The Colony fence).

Craig George, director of the citys Environmental Sustainability Department, said in a phone interview that several factors came together to improve water quality off Malibus coast. He said the citys water/wastewater system is being properly managed, and that stormwater management improved with Legacy Park, which diverts storm water runoff to a pond and then a treatment facility. Were capturing a lot more of the trash and debris, he said.

George said the Malibu Lagoon restoration, which was completed in 2013, also played a role in making water safer at Surfrider. In addition, he cited a number of new state regulations that the city and the Tapia Water Reclamation Facility have had to comply with, as well as more stringent permitting requirements as helping to improve water quality.

As for the state-wide picture, Heal the Bay noted that since the six-year drought finally broke with heavy rains, poor beach water quality was often the result because of increased amounts of urban runoff.

Bacterial pollution at some of Californias most popular beaches spiked dramatically in 2016-17, the report noted, with nearly half of the 85 beaches monitored in LA County earning F grades during wet weather. Thats in marked contrast to the summer reporting period April to October 2016, when no beaches earned Fs.

Those failing grades indicate a significant health risk to the tens of thousands of year-round ocean users in Southern California, who can contract a respiratory or gastrointestinal illness from one morning swim or surf session in polluted waters, the report noted.

The infamous Beach Bummers List was split between Northern and Southern California this year. San Clemente Pier and La Jolla Cove both made their first-ever appearance on the list. The closest bummer to Malibu was Santa Monica Pier for the fourth year in a row.

We want people catching waves, not bugs, when they head to the beach, said Sarah Sikich, Heal the Bays vice president, in a statement provided by Heal the Bay. The reassuring news is that if you swim at an open-ocean beach in the summer [at least 100 yards away] from storm drains and creek mouths, you statistically have very little risk of getting ill.

The 20-plus beaches monitored in Malibu include the following: Big Rock, Broad, Carbon, Encinal Canyon, Escondido Creek, Las Flores, Latigo Canyon Creek, Leo Carrillo, Little Dume, Malibu Pier, Marie Canyon, Nicholas, Paradise Cove Pier, Malibu Road, Puerco, Solstice Canyon Creek, Surfrider, Topanga, Tuna Canyon and Zuma. Grades on individual beaches are online at

beachreportcard.org.

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No 'Beach Bummers' in Malibu for Fourth Straight Year - Malibu Times

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NORFOLK, Va. - Four shark sightings closed down Norfolk beaches Thursday. The Division Head of Aquatics andBeaches said swimming areas were cleared at each beach after sharks came through and stuck around for a little while.

The sharks were spotted at Community Beach, Ocean View Beach and Sarah Constant Beach Park, reported sister station WTKR.

The spotting caused Community Beach to close for about 30 minutes.

Dan Jones, Division Head of Aquatics and Beaches

"I have a family out here and I don't want anything to happen to them. I've seen stories about people getting attacked, so I don't want anything to happen to them," said Angel Lowe, who was at the beach with her kids.

A city official said the shark was reported around 11:30 a.m. and it appeared to be less than six feet long.

Dan Jones, Division Head of Aquatics and Beaches, said four shark sightings in one day is highly unusual, adding they typically wouldn't be this many in one summer. However, he had ideas on why they were coming close.

"There are stingrays, there are flounder, other fish out there that might be a food source for the sharks," said Jones.

A school of dolphins was also in the water at Ocean View Beach along with the sharks.

Saturday, the founder of Ocearch, a nonprofit organization responsible for tagging and tracking sharks including Mary Lee and Katharine, will be at the Aquarium talking about shark science. The event will be at 6:30 p.m. and will be free, but seating is limited to the first 250 guests.

In May three sharks pinged off the coast of Virginia Beach and the Outer Banks.

Two of the sharks were great whites named Mary Lee and Katherine and atiger shark named Weimarpinged nearby around the same time as Katherine.

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Shark sightings close some Norfolk beaches - wtvr.com

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Ocean City and Assateague Island draw millions of visitors.

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Mary Ann Treger, Special for USA TODAY 7:54 a.m. ET June 23, 2017

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The long wooden boardwalk is Ocean City's iconic gathering place, lined with vintage arcades for games and rides, souvenir shops, and all the deliciously fried food you can eat.(Photo: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Marylanders don't go to the beach. Instead, they head "down-y ocean," more precisely, to Ocean City, with its 10 miles of free sandy beaches and historic 3-mile-long Boardwalk. Founded on July 4, 1875, when the original Atlantic Hotel opened for business, Ocean City has been attracting vacationers ever since, many of whom return year after year with succeeding generations of their own families. The long wooden boardwalk is Ocean City's iconic gathering place, lined with vintage arcades for games and rides, souvenir shops, and all the deliciously fried food you can eat (for many, a walk on the Boardwalk goes hand-in-hand with a bucket of Thrasher's fries).

Part state park and part national seashore, the 37-mile Assateague Island National Seashore was established in 1962. Assateague (meaning "a marshy place across") is not only visited by more than 2 million people a year who come to enjoy its pristine beaches and unsullied environment but the island is also home to more than 320 species of birds and more than 300 wild ponies.

Take a photo tour with the gallery above.

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Photo tour: The best beaches in Maryland - USA TODAY

QUINCY, Mass.

Beaches in Quincy, Braintree, Hull and Marshfield have been closed to swimming after testing showed elevated bacteria levels.

The Patriot Ledger reports the Milton Street section of Wollaston Beach, Darcys and Newport beaches in Hull, Smiths Beach in Braintree and Green Harbor Beach in Marshfield are all over the limit recommended for swimming.

Milton Street was posted Wednesday and the others on Thursday.

Newport Avenue in Hull is four times over the limit and Smiths Beach is double. The other three are under twice the recommended maximum.

In most cases the culprit is rain that washed contamination into the water. The beaches are being retested and results are expected on Friday.

The other 60 salt-water beaches on the South Shore passed bacteria tests this week and are open for swimming.

See water quality test results for each community and for Cape Cod, the South Coast and North Shore.

For more on Quincy beaches, call 617-376-1288, or visit tpl-beaches. For more on Wollaston Beach, call 617-626-4972.

HOW BEACHES ARE TESTED

Sixty-five beaches on the South Shore are tested for intestinal bacteria found in humans and animals.

High levels indicate the possible presence of disease-causing microbes that are present in sewage but are more difficult to detect. Bacterial colonies are filtered from three ounces of water and placed on a gel infused with nutrients and chemicals designed to promote growth.

Left in an incubator, the single cells isolated on the filter grow explosively, forming colonies visible to the naked eye. After one day, the colonies are counted and if they exceed 104 colonies, the beach is closed to swimming.

If the past five samples have a mean exceeding 35 colonies, the beach must also be closed to swimming.

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Five beaches closed due to water contamination - WCVB Boston - WCVB Boston

You can never predict when summer really starts in Seattle. But here's one exciting measure that hints at fun times on the way.

Sketched June 21, 2017

You can never predict when summer really starts in Seattle. This year, its kicking off with a heat wave. Other years June gloom lasts past the Fourth of July.

Given that unpredictability, Ive started telling people that summer in Seattle starts when the Police DepartmentsHarbor Patrol puts the swim rafts back in place at Lake Washington public beaches. And it ends when they store them away after Labor Day.

Earlier this week, I caught up with part of the crew that takes care of the towing just as they were done tying up one of the rafts at Madison Park Beach. Sgt. Mike Pugel said the summer process is faster because they dont have to spend time securing all the floating platforms together in Andrews Bay, by Seward Park. Seattle Parks Department employee Nathan Wendells said the summer tow is more exciting because the departments lifeguards are eagerto start their duty on the beaches. He said you can expect to see them at work starting this Saturday.

Happy summer, everyone, and remember to swim safely!

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It's summer in Seattle: Swim rafts return to Lake Washington beaches - The Seattle Times

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SAN DIEGO -- Extremely hot weather in San Diego County's deserts is expected to persist Friday through early next week and temperatures in other inland areas will spike on Sunday.

A National Weather Service excessive heat warning for the deserts will remain in effect until 9 p.m. Monday. A less severe heat advisory for the valleys and mountains will run from 10 a.m. Sunday until 9 that night.

"Excessive heat will continue through the weekend and through Monday in the lower deserts," according to the NWS. "On Sunday it will become hot across the Inland Empire, the mountains below 5,000 feet, and the inland valleys of San Diego County."

Click here for the latest forecast

Predicted high temperatures Friday are 74 to 79 degrees in inland coastal areas, 77 to 82 degrees in the western valleys, 86 to 91 degrees near the foothills, 90 to 100 degrees in the mountains and around 113 degrees in the deserts, according to the NWS.

High temperatures in the deserts are expected to hover around 115 degrees Saturday, then range from 115 to 120 degrees Sunday and 112 to 118 degrees Monday. On Sunday, highs of 95 to 102 degrees are in the forecast for the valleys and mountains.

The immediate coast was spared from the extreme heat, but those headed to the beaches will have to contend with strong and potentially dangerous rip and longshore currents. A beach hazards statement will remain in effect through Saturday evening.

The hot weather will increase the risk of heat-related illness and anyone working or spending time outdoors would be more susceptible, as will the elderly, children and those unaccustomed to the heat. Forecasters advised residents to reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or evening, drink plenty of water, wear lightweight and loose fitting clothing and be aware of the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

Authorities have also warned against leaving children, seniors or pets in parked cars, which can heat up to lethal levels in just minutes, even with a window partially open.

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Excessive heat persists in deserts; strong rips at beaches - fox5sandiego.com

PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) - Tropical Storm Cindy blew through the Panhandle causing heavy flooding and wind damage. Local beaches and even some wildlife also took a hit from the storm.

On Thursday things seemed back to normal after Tropical Storm Cindy blew past the coast, but she left her mark on area beaches.

"Erosion is a part of it. Sometimes we'll lose beach and during other times of the year depending on the tides and storms when they hit, sometimes it actually adds to the beach," Brian Addison, manager at St. Andrews State Park said.

Park rangers at Saint Andrews State Park say the storm caused heavy erosion. They say the park's jetties made it worse.

"It creates a swell or an eddy down there so not only do you have the impact from the surge or the swell itself," Addison said, "but it gets in there and it can enhance the erosion."

The park is no stranger to beach renourishment projects. Last winter the Army Corps of Engineers helped restore the beach.

"The fact that they need to put the sand somewhere closest to where they're dredging at so they just put it back in our beach here," Addison said.

The storm also took a toll on the wildlife on the beach. Two out of three sea turtle nests were washed out at St. Andrews. In other areas of Panama City Beach, the storm washed over 9 other sea turtle nests.

"Washed over means that the surf came on to the beach, but our stakes that we mark off are still in tact," Nancy Evou with the St. Andrews Bay Resource Management Association said.

Officials with the St. Andrews Bay Resource Management Association say they're rarely allowed to relocate eggs because of a storm.

"Unless we actually see them exposed and the nest is being washed away then we are allowed to collect the eggs and rebury them," Evou said.

Although Cindy has moved away, rangers say they hope visitors will remain safe near the water. "We're hoping that the water conditions will slowly improve and come down from the double red flags," Addison said.

Representatives with the St. Andrews Bay Resource Management Association say it's important for visitors to not disturb sea turtle nests. They say if people notice any turtles hatching to call the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

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Tropical Storm Cindy takes toll on area beaches and wildlife - WJHG-TV

Jason Hoekema/Valley Morning Star

Posted: Thursday, June 22, 2017 10:35 pm

South Padre Island beaches open to beachgoers Staff Report Valley Morning Star

SOUTH PADRE ISLAND Island city beaches an approximate 5-mile stretch are open to beachgoers.

The city of South Padre Island welcomes visitors and their families to enjoy the widest, cleanest beach in Texas today and throughout the summer season as our city beaches are open to beachgoers, said South Padre Island Convention and Visitors Bureau Executive Director Keith Arnold.

Despite the recent news, our beaches are open. However, driving on city beaches is not permitted.

Weather conditions yesterday were sunny and breezy with a high of 94 degrees and a low of 81 degrees with a 0 percent chance of precipitation in the forecast.

The entire length of South Padre Island city beaches does not allow driving, regardless of weather conditions.

Driving is allowed only on the North Padre Island National Seashore and county beaches.

Posted in Local News on Thursday, June 22, 2017 10:35 pm.

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South Padre Island beaches open to beachgoers - Valley Morning Star - Valley morning Star

Parking on Tybee Island

Tybee Island is filled with metered parking all along Butler Avenue with easy access to the beaches, shops and restaurants, with parking lots at North Beach and South Beach, which have hourly rates. see all

With humidity averaging in the 60s during the winter and spring and 70s in summer and fall, Savannah has a humid subtropical climate. Long summers and short winters make Savannah a beautiful place to explore year round, reaching highs in the 90s in the summer with highs in the 50s during the winter. see all

Tides in Savannah and Tybee Island can be as high as 6 feet. Savannah and Tybee Island, Georgia Area Tide Chart Information provides users with immediate information regarding Low and High Tide water levels based on the Savannah River entrance. see all

The Beach on Tybee Island is only a 20 minute drive east of Savannah. Tybee Island offers miles of beautiful beach, forts, museums and a beautiful old lighthouse. Rent kayaks, bikes along with hotels, motels, cottage and condo rentals. Come and enjoy the beaches on Tybee Island. see all

Find out what is allowed and whats prohibited on Tybee Island so everyone can have a safe, fun trip to Savannahs Beach! see all

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Beaches - Savannah, GA | Savannah.com

CLEARWATER BEACH, Fla. - Brittany Schiro knows about dirty beaches.

We have a lot of problems in the water, bacterial stuff going on there," says Schiro, who lives close to Galveston, Texas.

She is much more comfortable bringing her two daughters to Clearwater Beach, where theyre vacationing.

You gotta let them be children, right?" she said.

Schiro and her husband Eric are aware of new warnings from the Environmental Protection Agency and pediatricians. Beach sand can contain pollutants and bacteria that is especially harmful to children.

Symptoms can range from gastrointestinal illness to severe rashes.

So far, scientists have not flagged Clearwater Beach for pollution, but other Tampa Bay beaches are being watched.

The new sand warnings come with rules. Schiro follows most of them.

Well, obviously I dont let my kids shovel handfuls of sand in their mouths," says Schiro. "And we wash them off [after they play in the sand]. If they did have a reaction, wed pay attention to that. But theyve been fine here so far.

Even eating food that falls in the sand is a no-no. Not only would your food tastes gritty and gross, it could become contaminated.

Sand pollution is highest after heavy rains. Doctors urge parents to use sanitizer on tiny hands.

But Schiro draws the line at some of the other rules: making kids wear beach shoes all the times or brushing sand from under their fingernails.

Theres too much to worry about, says Schiro. We want them to experience the world. We dont want them to be afraid of everything.

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Sandcastles can make you sick; beware playing on beaches filled ... - ABC Action News