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County closes beaches for swimmers citing dangerous surf, rip currents

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  Published in Automotive and Transportation on Monday, October 20th 2025 at 17:54 GMT by The Daytona Beach News-Journal
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Volusia County Beaches Closed to Swimmers Until Further Notice

On October 12, 2025 the Volusia County Health Department issued an emergency directive that all county‑managed beaches are temporarily closed to swimming. The decision comes after a series of recent water‑quality tests revealed bacterial counts that far exceeded Florida’s safe‑swim limits. The closure affects a stretch of shoreline from Daytona Beach northward through Ormond Beach, including popular spots such as the Daytona Beach Pier, New Smyrna Beach, and the Gulf Coast’s Ponce de Leon Inlet.

The directive was released early in the morning, and county officials announced that lifeguard services would remain on duty for the duration of the closure. While lifeguards will continue to patrol for incidents and provide safety instructions, swimming, wading, or any other water activity is strictly prohibited until further notice. Beachgoers may still use the facilities for non‑aquatic recreation, and many families are turning to beachside activities such as volleyball, beachcombing, and sunset photography.

Why the Closure?

The root cause of the closure is a sharp rise in fecal coliform bacteria—a marker for contamination from sewage, pet waste, or other animal feces. The most recent samples, taken over the weekend of October 9‑10, found levels as high as 7,400 colony‑forming units per 100 ml of water at Daytona Beach, far above the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) “safe” threshold of 200 CFU/100 ml. Similar results were recorded at New Smyrna and Ormond Beach.

County epidemiologist Dr. Maya Sanchez explained that the spike is likely linked to a combination of heavy rainfall, storm‑water runoff, and possible leaks in the county’s aging sewage infrastructure. “When we receive such elevated readings, we have a responsibility to protect public health,” Dr. Sanchez said. “Swimming in water with those bacterial loads can cause gastrointestinal illness, ear infections, and in rare cases, more severe infections.”

The health department’s report cites the most recent “Daily Water Quality Report” that is posted on the Volusia County website. The portal lists sampling locations, dates, and results in real time. Officials note that the data will be monitored every six hours until the bacterial levels fall below the safe limit. “Once we see consistent readings below 200 CFU/100 ml, we will reassess the situation and notify the public of any changes,” said Dr. Sanchez.

Affected Locations

• Daytona Beach Pier and adjacent beach – 7,400 CFU/100 ml (Oct 9)
• New Smyrna Beach – 5,200 CFU/100 ml (Oct 10)
• Ormond Beach – 6,100 CFU/100 ml (Oct 9)
• Ponce de Leon Inlet – 4,800 CFU/100 ml (Oct 10)
• Other county beaches (Fort Pierce, Port Orange) – no sampling yet, monitoring pending

The county’s map on its website displays each beach’s current status, and a clickable “See Current Readings” button allows residents to view the raw data. The map also links to a detailed “Beach Safety FAQ” page that explains why bacterial levels matter and what precautions to take if you must enter the water.

Community and Economic Impact

The announcement was met with disappointment from local businesses, especially those that rely on beach traffic for revenue. “We’ve seen a sharp decline in foot traffic since the closure,” said Maria Lopez, owner of a beachfront café in Daytona Beach. “We’re keeping our doors open, but it’s hard to stay afloat with the reduced patronage.”

Tourists who had planned to spend the weekend at Daytona Beach have been advised to look for alternative activities or to wait for the next safe‑swim notification. The Volusia County Tourism Board released an emergency communication offering discounted rates at nearby hotels and suggesting indoor activities such as museum visits or indoor water parks in the region.

County Commissioner Jonathan Reed addressed the situation in a press briefing. “We are working closely with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, the Florida Department of Health, and the United States Coast Guard to resolve this issue as quickly and safely as possible,” he said. “We understand the inconvenience, but public safety must come first.”

Looking Ahead

Officials say the closure is provisional, pending the results of ongoing water‑quality monitoring. The county’s plan includes:

1. Continuous sampling – water will be tested every six hours at each beach.
2. Immediate action – if any sample exceeds 200 CFU/100 ml, the beach will remain closed.
3. Public updates – a county‑wide “Safe‑Swim Alert” will be issued via social media, the county website, and local news outlets.
4. Infrastructure review – a review of sewage and storm‑water infrastructure will begin to prevent future incidents.

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s official water‑quality portal indicates that similar concerns have been reported across the state, with some counties experiencing similar closures after heavy rains. The FDEP’s guidelines stipulate that a beach can be reopened only when five consecutive days of testing show bacterial counts below 200 CFU/100 ml.

County residents are urged to stay informed through the Volusia County website, the county’s official Facebook page, and the local news channel 5 News. For those who must enter the water—for example, for rescue or law‑enforcement purposes—proper protective equipment and precautions are mandatory.

The county’s health department remains optimistic that with diligent monitoring and cooperation from all stakeholders, the beaches will reopen safely in the coming weeks. In the meantime, the public is advised to enjoy the shoreline responsibly, adhere to the no‑swim directive, and keep a close eye on the latest water‑quality updates posted on the county’s website and the FDEP portal.