North Carolina residents should avoid Florence-affected waters, officials say

In the aftermath of Hurricane Florence, the North Carolina Coastal Federation on Thursday issued a powerful warning to residents wishing to swim: stay out of the ocean and inland waters.

In a statement, the federation said that "the massive runoff of rainwater" from Florence had resulted in "high levels" of potentially harmful bacteria. High levels have been detected "in and around Wrightsville Beach," the North Carolina Coastal Federation said in the statement.

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"We recommend that the public avoid any contact with the coastal waters identified on the Recreational Water Quality Program website map with caveats until the State conducts tests to determine if the waters are safe for leisure, "continued the federation.

The North Carolina Coastal Federation has stated that coastal bathing waters "contaminated with polluted runoff carry bacteria, parasites and viruses that can cause many types of diseases, ranging from minor to serious infections".

"These diseases include bacterial infections, earaches, hepatitis, rashes, and breathing problems. Rainwater runoff is a known cause of these diseases, "continued the federation.

Water infected with bacteria is not uncommon after a tropical storm or hurricane. Shortly before Florence, experts warned that drinking water could also be contaminated by the overflowing of manure pits, coal ash, water treatment facilities and waterworks. other sources.

According to experts, when manure pits are flooded, sewage can spread to other areas and threaten the public water supply of various pathogenic bacteria and microorganisms.

"This is not a scientific secret; Once an area is flooded, there are many elements that can contaminate the water, "Joel Cline, NOAA weather forecaster and tropical storm coordinator, told Fox News.

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As for the oceans and coastal waters, authorities will tell residents that water is safe again for swimming and other recreational activities, the federation said.