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Red tide reportedly hits Indian River County, Fort Pierce Inlet for first time | Map link

Tyler Treadway
Treasure Coast Newspapers
Vero Beach lifeguards Erik Toomoo, left, and Colter Hanawalt wear face masks in case of red tide in the air Monday, Oct. 15, 2018, while watching over South Beach.

UPDATE: A Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute scientist on Tuesday said the beaches at Vero Beach have the highest toxicity ratings on Florida's East Coast this year. 

ORIGINAL STORY:

Red tide apparently has hit Indian River County beaches — with a vengeance — and is confirmed at the Fort Pierce Inlet for the first time.

Test results to confirm the algae's presence in Indian River County were expected Tuesday from water samples taken Monday by the Florida Department of Health and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Vero Beach City Manager James O'Connor said late Monday.

Vero Beach and Indian River County beaches weren't closed Monday, but were flying red flags to warn beachgoers of the possible danger of toxic algae, O'Connor said.

"We're not going to close beaches until we get verification that it's red tide," he said.

Double red flags fly Monday, Oct. 15, 2018, at Conn Beach in Vero Beach to warn beachgoers about possible red tide in the ocean water.

Multiple reports of red tide

Dead fish were reported along Indian River County beaches Monday, and numerous people reported scratchy throats, watery eyes and runny noses — typical symptoms from breathing in toxins from red tide cells in the air.

"Sporadic" dead fish have been reported from Humiston Beach north to Golden Sands Beach, "and we're preparing to start removing them," Assistant County Administrator Michael C. Zito said Monday afternoon.

"We've also been getting reports of people with mild respiratory irritations," Zito said.

About noon Monday near Conn Beach on the barrier island in Vero Beach, "there's a dead fish every 10 feet, and you can see a lot more in the water about to come ashore," said Brendan Burke, who lives on Conn Way about 200 yards from the beach. "It's mostly tropical fish, but there's probably 15 different species."

Regarding the sea spray in the air, Burke said, "you can feel it in your chest. You can taste it as soon as you get out of your car."

Possible red tide first was reported early Monday by lifeguards who said they had symptoms of breathing in the toxins. Several people reported seeing lifeguards wearing breathing masks.

"That may very well be," O'Connor said. "If they requested them, I'm sure we got them some masks."

Indian River County warned people, especially those with respiratory problems, to stay away from the beaches if possible for the next two to 10 days.

Vero Beach lifeguards said about 100 visitors showed up on beaches Monday, about half the normal number for a beautiful, sunny day.

"We regret to inform you that red tide has reached our coastline in Indian River Shores," Town Clerk Laura Aldrich wrote to residents Monday.

Heading north

Red tide may have hit Brevard County too.

Mitchell A. Roffer of Melbourne Beach said he and his wife, Carol, got itchy throats, watery eyes and runny noses after a few minutes on the beach eight miles north of the Sebastian Inlet.

"Even now, I've got a sore throat," Roffer said Monday afternoon.

The FWC is working with Brevard and Indian River counties to get more water samples from around Vero Beach and Melbourne," spokeswoman Kelly Richmond said Monday afternoon.

Red tide hits Fort Pierce Inlet

Low levels of red tide were found at the Fort Pierce Inlet for the first time Wednesday, according to data the FWC posted Sunday. Conditions are constantly changing.

More: Check out the FWC's red tide map 

St. Lucie County lifeguards "didn’t report any signs of red tide or hear any complaints from beachgoers" over the weekend, county spokesman Erick Gill said Monday.

Low levels of red tide — enough to cause respiratory irritation and "possible fish kills," according to the FWC — were reported at both Jetty Park on the south side of the Fort Pierce Inlet at at Museum Pointe Park on the inlet near the Indian River Lagoon.

Other St. Lucie County beaches south of the inlet had low or very low levels of red tide, according to the FWC data posted Sunday. The agency's red tide map doesn't show any samples taken north of the inlet or in Indian River County.

Red tide in Martin County

For the most part, red tide levels continue to drop in Martin County and points south.

More:What is red tide? A TCPalm primer

Red tide is always in the ocean waters off the Treasure Coast, but it rarely forms big blooms.

Martin County has installed 30 signs warning visitors of the possibility of red tide at 16 beaches and Sandsprit Park on the St. Lucie River.

Lifeguards are on duty at four Martin County beaches: Bathtub, Hobe Sound, Stuart and Jensen Beach.

Red tide: Helpful numbers

  • Martin County beach conditions: 772-320-3112
  • St. Lucie County  beach conditions: 772-462-1421.
  • Red tide health concerns: 800-222-1222 (Florida Poison Control Center)
  • Report fish kills: 800-6360511 (FWC)

TCPalm staff member Laurence Reisman contributed to this report.