Swimming restricted at more than 80 LI beaches

Nassau and Suffolk counties have issued advisories against bathing at more than 80 beaches across Long Island, citing the possibility of elevated bacteria levels due to heavy rainfall.

The beaches under advisory in Nassau include 16 North Shore and four South Shore beaches. In Suffolk, 64 beaches, including those adjacent and within the North Shore bays and the northern shoreline of the Great South Bay, Sag Harbor and Long Island Sound are affected.

Both advisories are precautionary measures due to stormwater runoff.

“Stormwater runoff can impact bathing water quality by elevating bacteria levels, which may cause exceedances of the New York State standard for bathing water quality,” a Nassau County Department of Health news release said.

The Suffolk release said that because the beaches are in enclosed embayments, they experience “limited tidal flushing.” And as a result, “bathing and other water contact should be avoided in affected areas until waters have been flushed by two successive tidal cycles, at least 24 hours after the rain has ended,” the release said.

Suffolk's advisory is expected to be lifted on Wednesday at 11:59 p.m., while Nassau's will be lifted on Tuesday at 10 a.m. unless water samples reveal elevated bacterial levels or there is additional heavy rainfall.