Beachgoers on Oak Island urged to avoid pumped floodwaters

Beachgoers on Oak Island are being warned to stay away from a high-surge area where the city has been pumping out water left behind in the streets after recent rainfall.

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality issued a warning Tuesday morning for the public to avoid the surfing area near Crowell Street.

The city releases floodwaters to ensure that emergency vehicles can safely navigate the island’s streets. Floodwaters can carry a variety of pollutants, including feces from wildlife and pets, oil and gasoline from parking lots, and human waste from septic systems or sewers.

“This notice does not indicate that disease-causing organisms are present in the water; it is intended to alert beachgoers to an increased risk of contamination that could have adverse health effects,” the press release said.

Warning signs will be placed on the beach at the discharge site and will be removed 24 hours after pumping stops. The state will notify the public once the signs are removed.