MISSISSIPPI. (THECOUNT) — The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality announced Tuesday morning the closure of beaches in Harrison to Hancock Counties over a growth of Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB).
In a statement, MDEQ said “An algal bloom is the rapid growth of algae on the surface of the water.”
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“MDEQ advises people and their pets to avoid water contact, such as swimming or wading because exposure to the blue-green HAB can be harmful. The closures refer to water contact and do not prohibit use of the sand portion of a beach.”
Stations closed as of Monday are:
Station 1 – Lakeshore Beach
Station 2 – Buccaneer State Park Beach
Station 3 – Waveland Beach
Station 4 – Bay St. Louis Beach
Station 5 – Pass Christian West Beach
Station 6 – Pass Christian Central Beach
Station 7 – Pass Christian East Beach
Station 7A – Long Beach Beach
Station 10 – Gulfport Central Beach
The algae can cause rashes, stomach cramps, nausea, diarrhea and vomiting, according to MDEQ.
Those who become exposed should immediately wash with soap and water.
Do not eat fish or any seafood taken from affected areas.
MDEQ officials said “All other beaches along the Mississippi Gulf Coast remain open. MDEQ will resume sampling Tuesday and this advisory may be revised as results dictate,” reports WJTV.
Geo quick facts: Mississippi is a southern U.S. state with the Mississippi River to its west, the state of Alabama to its east, and the Gulf of Mexico to the south. Its Mississippi Delta region is considered the birthplace of blues music, honored at the Delta Blues Museum in Clarksdale. Also in the region is the Vicksburg National Military Park, preserving the site of a critical Civil War battle – wikipedia.