Los Angeles County health officials are warning beachgoers to stay out of the ocean through at least 7 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 3.

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health issued an Ocean Water Quality Rain Advisory on Saturday, Oct. 31, covering every beach in the county. LA Public Health said on X that beach users should avoid water contact for at least 72 hours after rainfall. The county Department of Public Health advised people to avoid contact with ocean and bay water at all county beaches due to potentially elevated bacteria levels, Spectrum News reported. If more rain falls, the advisory could be extended.

Runoff from streets and mountain areas can carry bacteria, chemicals, debris and trash into recreational waters, officials said. The warning applies especially near storm drains, creeks and rivers, according to the county Department of Public Health.

People who enter the water in affected areas could become ill.

Long Beach sewage spill adds to closures

A separate emergency is compounding the problem in Long Beach. About 29,000 gallons of sewage discharged near Livingston Drive and 2nd Street starting around 6:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30, after a break in a "force main," a pressurized pipe used to move wastewater, the Long Beach Utilities Department reported.

Of that total, 15,000 gallons were recovered. The remaining 14,000 gallons reached the ocean, according to a Long Beach city press release.

Long Beach City Health Officer Dr. Cliff Okada ordered the temporary closure of all open coastal swimming areas, including beaches, bay swimming areas and lagoons. Long Beach has more than six miles of public beach, as the Los Angeles Times reported.

Long Beach Utilities rerouted the sewage flow with a bypass line and called in emergency contractor Ocean Blue to help with cleanup. Repairs on the broken pipe are underway.

The Long Beach Health Department said in a statement that water sampling will begin Monday, Nov. 2, and continue until results meet state recreational water quality standards. The areas will stay closed to swimmers until then.

Bacteria warnings already in place at three LA beaches

Even before the rain advisory, the county Department of Public Health on Friday, Oct. 30, warned people to avoid the water near Ballona Creek at Dockweiler State Beach, Mother's Beach in Marina del Rey and near Santa Monica Pier because bacterial levels exceeded health standards.

Full beach closures are rare, the Times reported. They usually happen only during significant emergencies such as raw sewage main breaks, fire debris incidents or dangerous weather.

What to know

The county's beach closure hotline is available around the clock at 1-800-525-5662. More information and a map of affected locations are available at PublicHealth.LACounty.gov/Beach.

For Long Beach water quality updates, residents can call 562-570-4199 or visit longbeach.gov/beachwaterquality.