State recreational water quality officials are advising the public to avoid swimming in North Carolina coastal waters affected by Tropical Storm Ian.
Heavy winds and rain have negatively impacted all coastal waters, and officials say waters affected by floodwaters can contain elevated levels of harmful bacteria.
People should avoid swimming in these waters until bacteriological testing indicates sample results within the state’s and Environmental Protection Agency’s standards.
Testing will begin as soon as conditions are safe to do so and areas are accessible and the advisory will be lifted in part or in whole as test results become available.
