Rain leads to LI shellfishing closures

Several shellfishing areas in Nassau and Suffolk counties have been closed through April 30 after Sunday's storms brought as much as 3.3 inches of rain to some parts of Long Island.

The heavy rain led to heavy runoff, potentially polluting shellfishing areas, the state Department of Environmental Conservation said in a news release Monday.

"Extraordinary volumes of stormwater runoff carry bacteria and viruses into the creeks, coves, harbors and bays, and may cause shellfish in the affected areas to be hazardous for use as food," state officials said in the release.

Water samples will be collected this week to test for any contamination.

The closed areas are:

Huntington: All of Lloyd Harbor, Northport Bay, Centerport Harbor, Duck Island Harbor and southern portions of Cold Spring Harbor and Huntington Bay.

Shellfish harvesters can call 631-444-0480 for updates. For more detailed descriptions of closure areas call the DEC Bureau of Marine resources at 631-444-0475 during normal weekday business hours.