Hurricane Barry wasn’t enough to blow away the toxic algae plaguing Mississippi’s Gulf Coast. As of Monday, all Mississippi beaches remain closed due to a Harmful Algae Bloom that shut down the waters in early July.
On Sunday, the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality tested water samples from Jackson County and in Biloxi, WLOX reported. The samples showed the continued presence of HABs.
Sampling will continue Monday for the rest of the beaches. MDEQ will alert the public when there are changed to the existing water-contact warnings.
While people are advised to stay out of the water, the sand portion of the beaches remain open.
Beaches at barrier islands are also open.
The agency said people shouldn’t touch any algae that washes ashore after the storm.
"It is our understanding that algae that washes ashore would likely dehydrate and die. We encourage everyone to be aware of their surroundings, and if they see a Harmful Algal Bloom after the storm passes to contact MDEQ and/or local emergency management officials,” MDEQ announced.
The current algae outbreak was triggered by the opening of the Bonnet Carre spillway in Louisiana, which dumped freshwater into the Gulf and resulted in unusually low salinity in the Mississippi Sound. The low salt levels contributed to the outbreak of blue-green algae, officials said.
The algae releases toxins that can be harmful to humans and animals. Contact with contaminated water can cause rashes or, if ingested, abdominal pain, cramps and diarrhea.
People should also avoid seafood harvested from the closed water.