WILMINGTON, N.C. (WECT) – The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality is advising people to avoid swimming in coastal waters from the Wright Memorial Bridge in Kitty Hawk to the SC State Line due to the effects of Tropical Storm Debby.

Stormwater runoff can bring high amounts of harmful bacteria into coastal waters, and the excess rain has caused some local governments to need to pump floodwaters into oceans and sounds. Because of this, the state is advising people to avoid swimming near ocean outfalls, including wet sand where floodwater is pumped even if there is not a sign posted.

“Severe weather events like tropical storms and hurricanes bring excessive amounts of rain, storm surge and cause extreme flooding. These conditions increase levels of harmful bacteria in our coastal waters that can cause illness,” said Erin Bryan-Millush, manager of the N.C. Recreational Water Quality Program. “The sources of bacteria can vary and include failing septic systems, sewer line breaks and overflowing manholes.”

Bacteria testing is done weekly on 215 sites throughout the region, and until testing confirms conditions are safe, the state recommends avoiding the waters as a precaution.