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Beaches Not Closed, But Not Safe

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Jan 4, 2008 5:25 pm US/Pacific

Beaches Not Closed, But Not Safe

LOS ANGELES (CBS) ― Beachgoers were warned Friday not to go into the ocean for at least 72 hours after the rain ends because storm runoff water will likely raise the bacteria count, public health officials said.

People should stay out of the water until at least 5 p.m. Wednesday because levels of bacteria are expected to increase significantly as a result of water from storm drains, creeks and rivers that can carry sewage into the ocean, health officials said.

Residents were advised not to swim, surf or play in the ocean until the rain advisory is lifted, but as of 3:30 p.m. Friday, no beaches had been closed.

For information on beach conditions, call the beach closure hotline at (800) 525-5662 or log on to www.lapublichealth.org/beach.

(© 2009 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.