100,000-gallon sewage spill closes L.A. County beach

"(Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times) A 100,000-gallon sewage spill has closed Cabrillo Beach in San Pedro, L.A. County officials said. Visitors should avoid ocean water and any wet sand for at least three quarters of a mile upstream or downstream from the beach, the county public health department said in a release. A sewage discharge from a manhole in Carson caused the closure, said L.A. County Supervisor Janice Hahn in an X post."

"The storm has dumped inches of rain across the region and triggered mud and debris flows, knocked down trees and sparked several river rescues as the water rushes downhill from the mountains to the ocean. Los Angeles firefighters deployed teams to several river-rescue incidents; one involved the rescue of a man, his dog and his cat who were in a recreational vehicle on an island in the middle of a creek, and were trapped by rising waters. The three were hoisted into a helicopter."

"The rain - and resulting urban runoff - has officials warning people to be more cautious about going into the water generally. On Wednesday, the county issued an advisory that the rains could cause bacteria levels to rise in local ocean waters. "Bacteria levels may remain elevated up to 3 days depending upon the intensity of the rain and the volume of runoff. Elevated bacteria levels in ocean water may cause illness, especially in children and the elderly," the advisory warned."

A 100,000-gallon sewage spill closed Cabrillo Beach in San Pedro; visitors must avoid ocean water and wet sand for at least three-quarters of a mile upstream and downstream. The discharge originated from a manhole in Carson, and the beach will remain closed until the health department deems the water safe. A winter storm dumped inches of rain across the region, producing mud and debris flows, downed trees and multiple river rescues. Firefighters hoisted occupants of a recreational vehicle to safety, and a woman swept down the Tujunga Wash was later rescued near Universal City. Officials warned that urban runoff can elevate ocean bacteria for up to three days, increasing illness risk for children and the elderly.

Read at Los Angeles Times