Latest news with #beachwarning
CBS News
2 days ago
- CBS News
Great white shark sightings off Maine trigger warnings for beachgoers
Officials in Maine are warning swimmers and beachgoers to exercise caution after multiple sightings of great white sharks in the same area where the state's only fatal shark attack took place. There were two documented sightings off Bailey Island, a picturesque spot in Maine's Casco Bay, according to a social media post by Harpswell Marine Resources & Harbor Management. Shark notification flags are now on display at Cedar Beach, on the northeast side of the island. The beach is still open for swimming, the agency said. "This notification system is in place for people to make informed decisions only," the agency said. Beachgoers who see sharks are asked to take pictures of the fish and contact the Cumberland County Regional Communication Center, the marine resources agency said. Maine's first and only deadly shark attack occurred off the coast of Bailey Island in 2020. Julie Dimperio Holowach, a 63-year-old New York City woman, was swimming with her daughter about 30 to 40 feet off the island's shore when she was bitten. Her daughter was not injured. Two kayakers helped Holowach get to shore, where an ambulance provided care, but she was pronounced dead at the scene. Maine officials said the shark that attacked Holowach was a great white shark. Officials described the incident as an unprovoked attack, but said that Holowach was wearing a wetsuit and may have been mistaken for a seal. There have only been two documented unprovoked shark attacks in Maine, including the one that killed Holowach, according to researchers from the International Shark Attack File, a database run by the Florida Museum of Natural History and the University of Florida. Unprovoked shark attacks are generally rare.
CTV News
5 days ago
- Climate
- CTV News
Attention swimmers: E.coli count at two Toronto beaches exceeds threshold
The levels found in the water at two Toronto beaches have exceeded the threshold set by the city, prompting a warning to those who are considering going for a swim amid sweltering conditions in the city. The City of Toronto is advising 'caution' to visitors of Centre Island Beach and Sunnyside Beach following its most recent water inspections. The city says that the count recorded at Centre Island Beach on Saturday was more than double its threshold (239 per 100 ml water sampled) while the E. coli count at Sunnyside Beach was also high (174 per 100 ml water sampled). The city inspects the water quality at all of its Blue Flag beaches once every 24 hours and issues caution whenever the count exceeds 100 per 100 ml. The temperature in Toronto is expected to reach 31 C on Monday but feel closer to 40 with the humidex.
CBS News
16-06-2025
- Climate
- CBS News
LA County issues ocean water warnings for several beaches
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health is warning of ocean water recreation at several county beaches on Monday, as bacterial levels tested high. Department officials caution beachgoers against swimming, surfing and playing in the following ocean waters due to bacterial levels exceeding health standards when last tested: Topanga Canyon Beach, Malibu - 100 yards up and down the coast from the lagoon. Redondo Beach Pier - 100 yards up and down the coast from the pier. Ramirez Creek at Paradise Cove - 100 yards up and down the coast from the pier Santa Monica Pier - 100 yards up and down the coast from the pier. Castlerock Storm Drain at Topanga County Beach - 100 yards up and down the coast from the storm drain. Mothers Beach, Marina Del Rey - entire swim area. Inner Cabrillo Beach, San Pedro - entire swim area. The Bel Air Bay Club, Will Rogers State Beach - 100 yards up and down coast of the club border fence. Recorded information on beach conditions is available 24 hours a day on the County's beach hotline at, 1 (800) 525-5662. For a map of the impacted locations and for more information, visit:
The Sun
13-05-2025
- Health
- The Sun
Urgent beach warning as two Brits poisoned on UK island & rushed to A&E after eating dangerous plant with NO antidote
AN URGENT beach warning has been issued after two Brits were poisoned on a UK island and rushed to hospital. The pair has eaten a plant that contained a poison with no antidote available. 3 3 3 Emergency services rushed an island off the coast of Wales on May 3 after reports of a couple who had been poisoned. The Brits, who were on Sully Island off the Vale of Glamorgan, were thought to have ingested Hemlock - a highly poisonous plant. Sully Island is a small, uninhabited island near Barry and is about 450 metres long. The island is a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest, home to plenty of diverse and rare plants. It offers stunning views of the Welsh coastline and no permanent population, which meant rescue had to come from elsewhere. The RNLI's inshore lifeboats (ILBs) were deployed from Barry Dock to the eastern side of the tidal island. The rescue charity said: "Barry Dock RNLI's inshore lifeboat was tasked by HM Coastguard on Saturday, May 3, to locate, assess, and medevac two casualties on Sully Island reported to have potentially ingested hemlock. "The volunteer crew were advised the casualties, experienced foragers, were on the eastern beach and were located quickly. "On arrival the casualties were showing signs of anxiety so the crew immediately fitted them with lifejackets and embarked both onto the ILB for immediate transport to the mainland." Hemlock, also known as hemlock water-dropwort and hemlock root, is common in shallow water and appears like a cluster of white flowers. Urgent warning over deadly plant worse than Japanese Knotweed... do you have it near you It's often found near rivers or fresh water but can be washed up on beaches after storms. Beachgoers in Britain have been warned keep their pooches on a lead as a precautionary measure in certain spots, with four dogs having died from the plant in the Newquay, Cornwall. Thankfully for the foragers, the RNLI confirmed that after the rescue, the pair on Sully Island made a full recovery. They said: 'Once ashore they were handed to Barry coastguard rescue team (CRT) who identified elevated pulse rates. "Oxygen was prepared from the ILB's supply with an RNLI crew member staying to assist the CRT with care. 'The officer in charge remained in contact with the ambulance service while the crew monitored the casualties. "As the tide fell the ILB could not remain on scene so with their condition stable and a plan in place Barry Dock ILB stood down returned to station and was made ready for service while the casualties were taken to A&E.' SYMPTOMS OF HEMLOCK POISONING Hemlock poisoning will show symptoms after around 30 minutes, or up to 3 hours. The plant can cause a painful rash or burning on the eyes if touched. Ingesting any part of the plant can lead to poisoning which can lead to respiratory failure. Symptoms include: Trembling Burning sensation in digestive tract Increased salivation Dilated pupils Muscle pain and weakness Decreased heart rate Loss of speech Convulsions Unconsciousness If you believe you have symptoms, you should seek medical attention immediately. If possible, take a sample of the plant if it's safe do to so by using plastic gloves - or take photos. Do not try and make the infected throw up. What Are Hemlock Roots? Hemlock Roots may look like a "beautiful" flower, but they hold a deadly secret. The plant, which looks like a parsnip, could be lethal to humans and animals. Hemlock could easily kill if it was eaten as it contains fatal toxins. The toxins grow naturally and include coniine and a gamma-coniceine, which cause muscular paralysis. Anyone who ingests the harmful plant could end up with respiratory failure - which could lead to death. Only a tiny amount of Hemlock can prove fatal to a human or to livestock. It usually grows in wet, marshy places and is often confused for its non-poisonous lookalikes such as wild carrots or parsnips. If accidentally eaten, symptoms of poisoning include seizures, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, tremors, confusion, weakness or dizziness. The plant was previously found on a beach in Cornwall following a storm.
