Nassau County Re-opens Beaches, but More Rain Forecast

By Joe Dowd

Nassau County's bayside beaches are re-opened Wednesday following a one-day precautionary closure on Tuesday. 

And with heavy rain predicted for Thursday, more short-term beach closings may be necessary, health officials said.

Tuesday's shut down of permitted beaches across Nassau was done as a precaution based on years of regular testing, said Mary Ellen Laurain.

The health department tests bay waters twice a week for signs of contamination and has been collecting data for 40 years. Whenever a half-inch of rain falls, the bay beaches are closed for 24 hours, or two full tide cycles, as a precaution. 

Scientists have determined that heavy rain leads to significant groundwater runoff on Long Island. That causes a bacteria known as enterococci to flourish. The bacteria can cause gastrointestinal illness. 

"It's a preemptive move to ensure safety," Laurain said. "We do it routinely when the rainfall is more than a half-inch over 24 hours."

Heavy rain is forecast for Thursday; up to two inches of rain is possible in some locations.

On the North Shore, the re-opened beaches include Centre Island (Sound) Creek Club, Lattingtown Beach, Laurel Hollow Beach, Morgan Sound, North Hempstead Beach Park, Piping Rock Beach Club, Prybil Beach, Ransom Beach, Roosevelt Beach, Sea Cliff Village Beach, Soundside Beach, Stehli Beach and Tappen Beach.

And on the South Shore, the beaches re-opened are Biltmore Beach Club, Hewlett Point Beach, Island Park Beach, Merrick Estates Civic Association and Philip Healey Beach.

For more information, call the Health Department Wednesday at 516-227-9717.