News Summary
Health officials have issued swim advisories in Wilmington, Nags Head, and Beaufort County due to high bacteria levels in the water following heavy rainfall. Whiskey Creek showed alarming levels of enterococci, prompting warnings for a 200 feet radius. Additionally, the presence of Portuguese man-of-war jellyfish along the coast poses risks to beachgoers. With ongoing coastal erosion and home collapses exacerbated by climate change, locals and tourists are urged to exercise caution while enjoying North Carolina’s shores.
Wilmington, North Carolina — Health officials have issued warnings against swimming in three coastal areas due to high levels of bacteria detected in the water following recent heavy rainfall. The increased bacteria counts have been linked to stormwater runoff, raising alarms for beachgoers and locals alike.
The most critical alert has been issued for Whiskey Creek, located across from marker #135 in Wilmington, where water samples registered over 104 enterococci per 100 milliliters, significantly exceeding safety standards. As a precaution, a swimming advisory has been established for a 200 feet radius from advisory signage in the impacted area.
Another location of concern is Jockey’s Ridge Sound-side Access in Nags Head, where testing indicated a running monthly average of 37 enterococci per 100 milliliters, again surpassing state and federal guidelines of 35 enterococci per 100 milliliters. A similar swimming advisory has also been issued for Beaufort County due to comparable contamination levels.
In addition to high bacteria levels, the presence of Portuguese man-of-war off the coast further complicates the safety of swimming and beach activities. This weekend, reports surfaced of these jellyfish-like creatures washed ashore at Sunset Beach and Cape Lookout National Seashore. The Sunset Beach Fire Department has warned the public to avoid any contact with the man-of-war, highlighting that their long, thread-like tentacles can deliver painful stings even after the organisms have died.
Impact of Recent Weather
The adverse water conditions were exacerbated by heavy rains earlier this week, contributing to the stormwater runoff that compromised water quality. North Carolina water quality officials conduct weekly monitoring of 221 coastal sites from April through October to track conditions and ensure public safety.
Coastal Erosion and Home Collapse
In addition to health warnings, the state is grappling with ongoing erosion problems that have increasingly threatened coastal structures. Recent severe weather events have led to a growing number of home collapses, particularly along the Outer Banks. Most notably, a house in Rodanthe collapsed this week, marking the third such incident in less than a week. This house was unoccupied at the time of its collapse.
Since 2020, at least nine homes in the Outer Banks have been taken by the ocean, with owners facing significant challenges in timely removal due to adverse weather conditions and delays caused by insurance companies and regulatory hurdles. This rising trend of collapses has raised concerns for nearby properties and beachgoers, especially with debris from collapsed homes posing additional risks.
Addressing the Causes
Experts attribute the increasing rates of erosion and home collapses to climate change, which is intensifying the risks that coastal homeowners face. As the issue grows, local officials and communities are left to navigate the intertwining challenges of maintaining public safety, preserving marine health, and protecting vulnerable coastal infrastructure.
The dual warning of high bacteria levels and dangerous marine life serves as a critical reminder for residents and tourists to exercise caution while enjoying North Carolina’s coastal regions. Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely, urging the public to stay informed about water quality and potential hazards as the region heads deeper into the busy summer season.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
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Body of Local Health Care Provider Recovered After Fishing Trip
Rodanthe Faces Growing Crisis as Erosion Claims Another Home
North Carolina’s Coastal Communities Face Climate Challenges
Rodanthe Faces Growing Erosion Woes as Homes are Lost
Community Safety Alerts and Local Developments in Duck
Bird Flu Alert for Outer Banks Residents
Additional Resources
- CBS 17: Extensive Sand Loss at NC Beaches
- Wikipedia: Coastal Erosion
- News Observer: High Bacteria Levels in NC Waters
- Google Search: North Carolina News
- WRAL: Outer Banks Homes at Risk
- Google Scholar: Stormwater Runoff
- Star News Online: Impact of Financial Changes on NC Coast
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Marine Health
Author: STAFF HERE OUTER BANKS WRITER
The OBX STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREOBX.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in the Outer Banks, Dare County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Outer Banks Seafood Festival, NC VIP Fishing Tournament, and NCBBA Red Drum Tournament. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Outer Banks Chamber of Commerce and Outer Banks Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in tourism, retail, and hospitality that power the local economy such as Kitty Hawk Kites, Outer Banks Mall, and Avon Fishing Pier. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAsheville.com, HERECharlotte.com, HEREGreensboro.com, and HERERaleigh.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into North Carolina's dynamic landscape.
