A few days after storms rocked Monterey County, causing flooding, power outages and road closures affecting thousands of residents, it finally feels like a beach day.
But all of Monterey County's beaches remain closed due to storm runoff, according to the Monterey County Health Department.
"The public is advised not to have ocean water contact at this time," according to the Health Department's advisory, which has been in effect since Tuesday.
County health officials regularly test ocean water off popular beaches, including Carmel Beach, Lovers Point, Asilomar and Del Monte Beach for fecal coliform and the bacteria Enterococcus.
Because water coming out of storm drains is more likely to contain bacteria, viruses and and chemicals, officials are encouraging people to stay out of the water until test results confirm lowered concentrations of the nasty stuff they test for.
For the most up-to-date information on beach closures, visit the Monterey County Health Department's website at www.mtyhd.org/beach or call the beach information hotline at (800) 347-6363.