Long Beach residents were woken up to the sound of thundering storms early Wednesday morning as Los Angeles County was hit with thunderstorms through the night.
As a result of the light showers in some areas of the city, Long Beach Health Officer Dr. Anissa Davis issued a city-wide rain advisory for recreational swimming in beaches and bays today.
The rainfall may be enough to cause “unhealthy conditions” from “increased runoff from storm drain outlets and rivers,” the advisory stated.
The notice also stated that recreational swimming should be avoided for at least three days following a thunderstorm, as it may “affect the health of swimmers.”
Residents are still welcome to a grand opening of Long Beach’s Wibit inflatable water playground, which will take place Saturday, June 25 at 1 p.m. at Alamitos Beach, south of Ocean Boulevard and east of Shoreline Drive between Fifth and Sixth Places.
According to nonprofit Heal the Bay’s 2021-2022 Beach Report Card, water quality at Alamitos Beach rates “A” during dry summer weather but deteriorates to an “F” rating in wet weather conditions.
The city explained in the advisory that “any potential temporary decrease in water quality due to recent rains should be resolved by that time.”
The advisory will be extended if the rainfall continues. More information on the advisory and the city’s water health quality can be found at www.longbeach.gov/beachwaterquality or by contacting 562-570-4199.