Los Angeles Public Health officials urged residents to avoid all contact with water on county beaches, especially near storm drains, streams, and rivers, due to potentially elevated levels of bacteria from the winter storm's heavy rains.

In a statement, the County health officials warned that anyone entering the ocean could become ill. “Recreational waters can become contaminated with bacteria, chemicals, debris, trash, and other public health hazards from city streets and mountainous areas after a rainstorm,” said the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.