Health officials have warned people in Southern California about unsafe swimming conditions at Los Angeles-area beaches as the region grapples withscorching and dangerous temperatures.
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health issued warnings advising beachgoers to avoid swimming, surfing, and playing in the ocean waters stretching from Malibu, California, to Santa Monica, California, due to high bacteria levels.
Recent water samples taken at several beaches found bacteria exceeding health standards, the department said March 16 in a notice onits websiteand onsocial media. Excessive bacteria in water can increase the risk of illness.
A deep freeze across the South, a spreading heat wave in the West and a trail of high winds and downpours leaving the East are in the forecast on March 17 after a weekend of bizarre weather across the country.On the heels of a major storm that delivered downpours, high winds and thunderstorms along the U.S. East Coast, the National Weather Service is predicting a "quieter" period of weather for many. See the storm's toll in photos.
Work crews clear downed trees on Holtville Road north of Wetumpka, Ala., after early morning storms on Monday March 16, 2026.
Severe weather slams parts of the US. See the toll in photos
A deep freeze across the South, a spreading heat wave in the West and a trail of high winds and downpours leaving the East are in the forecast on March 17 after a weekend of bizarre weather across the country.
On the heels of amajor storm that delivered downpours, high winds and thunderstormsalong the U.S. East Coast, the National Weather Service is predicting a "quieter" period of weather for many. See the storm's toll in photos.Work crews clear downed trees on Holtville Road north of Wetumpka, Ala., after early morning storms on Monday March 16, 2026.
Bacteria levels can increase due to rainstorm runoff, which carries contaminants to the ocean, the department's warning said.
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Which Southern California area beaches are affected?
The warnings issued by the L.A. County Health Department apply primarily to areas near creeks, storm drains, and runoff outlets, where bacteria levels tend to spike. Current ocean water use warnings apply to these locations:
Santa Monica Pier in Santa Monica: 100 yards up and down the coast from the pier.
Topanga Canyon Beach in Malibu: 100 yards up and down the coast from the lagoon.
Malibu Lagoon at Surfrider Beach: 100 yards up and down the coast from the public restrooms.
Escondido State Beach: 100 yards up and down the coast near Escondido Creek.
Puerco Beach: 100 yards up and down the coast near the Marie Canyon Storm Drain.
Will Rogers State Beach: Near Will Rogers Tower 18, along the coast near Santa Monica Canyon Creek.
The warnings have been in effect at some beaches for more than three weeks.
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Several previously affected areas, including inner Cabrillo Beach in San Pedro, California, and the Herondo Street storm drain area in Hermosa Beach, California, have been cleared after new samples showed bacteria levels back within state standards, TheDesert Sun, part of the USA TODAY Network, reported earlier this month.
Health officials are concerned about the public entering water over the coming days as Southern California faces a major-to-extreme heat risk through March 19, with warm overnight temperatures offering little relief. The Los Angeles County Public Health Department has issuedextreme heat warningsthrough Friday, March 20.
Much of southwest California broke temperature records on Tuesday, March 17, and there are "no significant changes in the forecast the rest of the week," theNational Weather Servicesaid.
When could the beach warnings be lifted?
Health agencies monitor coastal ocean water quality year-round, and the L.A. County Health Department will lift warnings when follow‑up testing confirms bacteria levels have dropped back within California safety standards.
Contributing: James Ward, The Desert Sun
Mike Snider is a national trending news reporter for USA TODAY. You can follow him on Threads, Bluesky, X and email him atmikegsnider&@mikegsnider.bsky.social&@mikesnider& msnider@usatoday.com.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:LA County beaches hit with bacteria warnings amid scorching heat