San Diego County officials Thursday warned people to avoid swimming and surfing in the ocean for a few days due to potentially high levels of bacteria from rainstorm runoff.
People should avoid entering oceans and bays for 72 hours following a storm, according to the Department of Environmental Health.
Runoff from urban areas into bodies of water can contain large amounts of bacteria from animal waste, soil and decomposing vegetation. This is especially true near storm drains, creeks, rivers and lagoon outlets, according to the DEH.
Precipitation is forecast to return to Southern California Friday night and end Saturday morning.
— City News Service