ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Hurricane Debby, despite never making landfall in the Tampa Bay region, brought widespread rain and storm surge flooding. All that water inundated wastewater systems, causing some to overflow into waterways.
Fecal bacteria from stormwater runoff commonly ends up in recreational beaches during hurricane season, according to the Florida Department of Health. Residents can ingest this bacteria while swimming at these affected beaches, leading to disease, infections or rashes, health officials said.
The following list is provided to help Tampa Bay residents become aware of the state of area beaches across several counties. Note that many of the tests performed at these beaches were performed before Hurricane Debby, which impacted the area from Aug. 3-5.
Check out the list with information from the Florida Department of Health below:
Citrus County
An advisory was issued on July 29, 2024, for Fort Island Gulf Beach after fecal bacteria were found in its water.
Hernando County
As of July 2, 2024, Pine Island Beach's water quality is good.
Hillsborough County
As of Aug. 7, 2024, the water quality of Hillsborough County's beaches is as follows:
- Bahia Beach - Poor, advisory in place
- Ben T. Davis North - Moderate, no advisory
- Cypress Point Park North - Good, no advisory
- Davis Island Beach - Moderate, no advisory
- Picnic Island North - Poor, advisory in place
- Simmons Park Beach - Poor, advisory in place
Manatee County
As of Aug. 7, 2024, the water quality of Manatee County's beaches is as follows:
- Bayfront Park North - Good, no advisory
- Broadway Beach Access (F.K.A. Whitney Beach) - Good, no advisory
- Coquina Beach North - Good, no advisory
- Coquina Beach South - Good, no advisory
- Cortez Beach - Good, no advisory
- Manatee Public Beach North - Good, no advisory
- Palma Sola South - Poor, no advisory
Pasco County
As of July 22, 2024, the water quality of Pasco County's beaches is as follows:
- Anclote River Park Beach - Good, no advisory
- Brasher Park Beach - Good, no advisory
- Gulf Harbors Beach - Good, no advisory
- Oelsner Park Beach - Poor, advisory in place
- Robert J. Strickland Beach - Good, no advisory
Pinellas County
As of July 29, 2024, the water quality of Pinellas County's beaches is as follows:
- Clearwater Beach, Mandalay Park - Good, no advisory
- Fort De Soto North Beach - Good, no advisory
- Honeymoon Island Beach - Good, no advisory
- Indian Rocks Beach - Good, no advisory
- Madeira Beach - Good, no advisory
- Pass-a-Grille Beach - Good, no advisory
- Redington Shores - Good, no advisory
- Sand Key - Good, no advisory
Sarasota County
As of July 29, 2024, the water quality of Pinellas County's beaches is as follows:
- Bird Key Park a.k.a Ringling Causeway - Good, no advisory
- Blind Pass Beach - Good, no advisory
- Brohard Park - Good, no advisory
- Caspersen Beach - Good, no advisory
- Lido Casino Beach - Good, no advisory
- Longboat Key Access - Good, no advisory
- Manasota Key Beach - Good, no advisory
- Nokomis Beach - Good, no advisory
- North Jetty Beach - Good, no advisory
- North Lido Beach - Good, no advisory
- Service Club Beach - Good, no advisory
- Siesta Key Beach - Good, no advisory
- South Lido Beach - Good, no advisory
- Turtle Beach - Good, no advisory
- Venice Beach - Good, no advisory
- Venice Fishing Pier - Good, no advisory
For more information on the quality of Florida's beaches, click here.
