Dozens of US beaches closed or hit with swimming advisories on July Fourth

Dozens of beaches in the U.S. are closed or under swimming advisories on the Fourth of July, as a result of high levels of bacteria in the water.

Local and state governments have issued warnings about shores in their own areas but there is no centralized database to determine whether a beach is under a health advisory. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that beachgoers check online for health advisories before heading out to their preferred shores on the holiday.

Excessive bacteria and other environmental factors have prompted advisories or closures in states across the country.

In Massachusetts, the state said more than 35 beaches were closed as of Thursday morning, mostly as a result of “bacterial exceedance,” which indicates levels of Enterococci or E. coli that exceed the stated limit. Some beaches are closed as a result of “harmful cyanobacterial blooms,” which can occur as a result of excessive rainfall or extreme weather events.

In New York, at least two beaches are closed, with five open with advisories, according to the state. Local governments, however, can issue their own warnings about beaches, which health officials recommend checking. In Suffolk County, an advisory last week warned against bathing at 63 beaches because of increased heavy bacteria caused by heavy rainfall and stormwater, ABC reported.

In Michigan, there are at least seven closures and advisories for beaches, per the state's Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy. In a post on the social platform X Wednesday, the department advised Michiganders to "Check for beach closures."

In Illinois, there are 26 advisories at beaches in the state, with some being closed for "High bacteria levels," according to the Illinois Department of Public Health.