Nassau closes 19 beaches to swimming

Nineteen beaches have been closed to swimming as a precautionary measure, the Nassau County Department of Health said Monday.

The closings are because of the recent heavy rainfall and the subsequent storm-water runoff, which can elevate bacterial levels and affect bathing water quality.

Fourteen of the beaches are on the North Shore -- Centre Island Sound, Creek Club, Lattingtown Beach, Laurel Hollow Beach, Morgan Sound, North Hempstead Beach Park, Piping Rock Beach Club, Prybil Beach, Ransom Beach, Roosevelt Beach, Sea Cliff Village Beach, Soundside Beach, Stehli Beach and Tappen Beach.

Five of the closed beaches are on the South Shore -- Biltmore Beach Club, Hewlett Point Beach, Island Park Beach, Merrick Estates Civic Association and Philip Healey Beach.

To speak with a health department representative about beach closings, call 516-227-9717, 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. weekdays.