OUTER BANKS, N.C. — Officials have issued a warning to avoid swimming in the Outer Banks because of high bacteria levels.
The problem stems from too much rain in Dare and Currituck counties because storm water runoff can contain high levels of bacteria.
The warning is to avoid swimming in the area until tests show bacteria levels are safe.
South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control officials recently issued a temporary swimming advisory for North Myrtle Beach and Briarcliffe.
The warning was lifted after bacteria levels returned to normal.
Short-term advisories typically last only a few days.
Last month, Channel 9 reported on the meeting between Myrtle Beach City leaders and DHEC concerning water advisories.
[RELATED: Myrtle Beach water advisory policy change aimed at helping tourism]
Officials decided to make the advisories more transparent by labeling them short term and giving explanations for how small an area is affected.
Channel 9 learned the public should expect to see more advisories this year because of a change in protocol.
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