Beachgoers should avoid ocean surf near an area where Oak Island town officials pumped floodwater, according to a state advisory issued Wednesday.
The town pumped floodwater caused by recent rains into the ocean near Crowell Street.
North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality recreational water quality officials warn that floodwater can contain pollutants, such as waste from wildlife and pets, oil and gasoline from parking lots and waste from septic systems or sewers.
“This notice does not imply that disease-causing organisms are present in the water; it is meant to caution beachgoers of an increased risk of contamination that can cause adverse health effects,” according to a DEQ release.
Town officials pumped the floodwater into the ocean to minimize flooding damage and ensure roads are accessible for emergency vehicles.
Signs were to be placed at the discharge site along the ocean shoreline to notify the public of the possible health risk. Those signs are to be removed 24 hours after the pumping ceases. DEQ will notify the public once the signs have been removed.
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