Bacterial runoff shuts 19 Nassau beaches

Public health authorities have closed 19 beaches to bathing in Nassau County and issued advisories against swimming in the waters of 66 Suffolk County beaches after Sunday's storms sent bacteria-laden runoff pouring into harbors, rivers and bays.

Mary Ellen Laurain, spokeswoman for the Nassau County Department of Health, said the closures were aimed at beaches that have significant runoff after a heavy rain. "It's a precautionary measure," Laurain said. "We do know from our past that these particular beaches may be more affected by runoff."

Nassau County bore the brunt of Sunday's torrential storm, with more than 10 inches of rain in some areas. In Suffolk County, where rainfall totals were less but heavy runoff still occurred, the Department of Health Services Monday issued an advisory against bathing in the waters of 66 beaches, mainly in harbor areas along the north shore.

The beaches access the waters of Cold Spring Harbor, Huntington Harbor, Huntington Bay, Centerport Harbor, Northport Bay, Port Jefferson Harbor, Smithtown Bay, Stony Brook Harbor, West Meadow Creek, Long Island Sound, the Great South Bay, Lake Ronkonkoma and Sag Harbor.

Beaches along the Atlantic Ocean and the Peconic Estuary were not affected.

Grace Kelly-McGovern, spokeswoman for Suffolk's health department, said the list is based on beaches that are known to be susceptible to high bacteria levels from stormwater runoff.

The advisories and closures will stay in effect through 24 hours, or roughly two tidal cycles, after the last rainfall. Health officials will then determine whether to open the beaches or lift the advisories.

In Islip, the town will monitor the Suffolk health department's bulletins, but won't close beaches unless the county officially declares them closed, said town spokesman Kevin Bonner.

Huntington Town spokesman A.J. Carter said that town routinely closes its beaches when the county issues an advisory against bathing. "The health department says people shouldn't be swimming there, so we want to keep people from swimming there," he said.

Tanner Park Beach in Copiague, which the county closed on July 28 because of elevated bacterial levels, remains closed.

The runoff also prompted the state Department of Environmental Conservation to temporarily close some waters to shellfishing in Babylon, Brookhaven, Hempstead, Huntington, Islip, North Hempstead, Oyster Bay, Riverhead, Smithtown and Southampton.