Shellfishing areas closed after rains

The rain that has drenched Long Island in recent days prompted the state to close some areas to shellfishing for a week.

The state Department of Environmental Conservation said Thursday that heavy rainfall in the previous 36 hours caused "an extraordinary volume of stormwater runoff" that could cause the shellfish to be hazardous to human health.

The areas, to be closed until Sept. 15, are all in Hempstead Harbor and parts of some towns:

Town of Oyster Bay (north shore): All of Oyster Bay Harbor and Cold Spring Harbor south of a line from Plum Point (Centre Island) to the West Neck Beach pavilion (Lloyd Neck).

Town of Huntington: Cold Spring Harbor south of a line from Plum Point (Centre Island) to the West Neck Beach pavilion (Lloyd Neck).

Town of Shelter Island: All of Coecles Harbor, Dering Harbor and West Neck Creek, including tributaries.

Town of East Hampton: All of Three Mile Harbor, Accabonac Harbor and Hog Creek, including tributaries.

The state said it would conduct testing Friday and early next week to determine when the areas can be reopened. Residents are urged to call its hotline at 631-444-0480 for updates.