Stay Away From the Oceans, Experts Say

It's not your typical beach weather but for those who are thinking about hitting the beach, an environmental group is urging people to avoid the ocean for the next three days, because runoff from the first storm of the season poses a health risk.

"The main source of pollution to Santa Monica and San Pedro bays is urban  unoff carried through the storm drain system,'' said Matthew King of
Heal the Bay. "With the Southland experiencing its first wet weather of the
fall, Heal the Bay is reminding residents that swimming in the ocean is not
healthy during the next 72 hours.''

Debris and toxins that have been accumulating for months on sidewalks, roadways and riverbeds get washed into the storm drains whenever the first significant rain falls, King said.

"Unlike sewage, this runoff typically receives no treatment and flows
freely onto shorelines and the sea through the network of open channels, catch
basins and drain pipes,'' King said.