Locals concerned about red tide

VERO BEACH, Fla. (CBS12) — Officials in Indian River County are waiting for test results to come back to confirm the presence of Red Tide in the water.

Water samples were taken Monday after dead fish washed ashore in Vero Beach and multiple people reported feeling sick with symptoms commonly associated with the toxic algae.

“We have lived in Vero Beach now for over 30 years and this is the first time that I’ve ever been to the beach where it’s been uncomfortable because of Red Tide,” said Rich Miller.

Miller says the conditions were so overwhelming that he decided to set up his beach chair in the nearby grass, avoiding the sand and water.

“I got out of the car and just walked to the boardwalk; I couldn’t even take more than a few minutes. It started, itchy throat, the eyes,” he said.

Miller wasn’t the only one struggling Tuesday.

A longtime fisherman says his wife also felt sick and that it appeared more dead fish washed up near South Beach Park overnight.

“She walks the beach north,

she came back she was coughing, saw some dead mullet along the beach,” Jim Bausano said. “It wasn’t quite as bad yesterday; you can see the dead fish along here!”

The dead fish and their overwhelming smell is another reason Miller is trading in the sand for the grass Tuesday.

“Typically, I’d be out on the beach, as close to the water as possible, taking advantage of whatever breeze comes in,” he said. “Today, it was just too much.”

Beaches remain open as of noon but Vero Beach city officials are warning swimmers to stay out of the water.

Official test results are expected back sometime Tuesday.