Red Tide

[budman]

From Florida Surfcasters site,
#37427, "St Johns Co. Red Tide"






From First Coast news...
By Jessica Clark
First Coast News

ST. JOHNS COUNTY, FL -- Red tide is beginning to sink down into the northern beaches of St. Johns County. As of Friday, its effects could be seen as far south as Guana State Park.

However, this weekend, when a nor'easter rolls through, the health effects are expected to be much worse in St. Johns County.

Dave Williams is the head of Beach Services for St. Johns County. He said the red tide is expected to become more airborne this weekend.

"It's something that starts in the water. As the surf starts to churn up, can get in the atmosphere, and then people just walking by can feel the effects."

Katherine McCombs works with the St. Johns County Health Department.

"If the winds blow in and it does become airborne, that's when it starts to cause the respiratory problems. It's because it gets in the air and you can breathe it in, and it gets into the eyes."

The St. Johns County Health Department warns people with respiratory conditions to steer clear of the beach if this nor'easter swings through as predicted.

Williams said ten years ago was the last time red tide really walloped St. Johns County. A nor'easter also came to visit then, and the combo sent the micro-organism flying.

barty b