The Westchester County Health Department on Wednesday closed Rye’s Coveleigh Club Beach because of excessive rainfall.
The department determined that because there has been 0.59 inches of rainfall over the last 24 hours, heavy rains and discharges from stormwater drains could directly affect the water at the beach – potentially causing high levels of harmful bacteria that may cause illness, according to the department website.
Coveleigh Club, located on Stuyvesant Avenue in Milton Point, is one of multiple closed today.
Others include the Mamaroneck beaches of Harbor Island, Beach Point Club, Orienta Beach Club, and Mamaroneck Beach and Yacht Club, as well as Hudson Park Beach, Davenport Club, Greentree Club, and Surf Club in New Rochelle.
“The county remains committed to maintaining high environmental health and safety standards across its recreational facilities,” the Westchester County Government said in its social media announcement.
The county made a similar call last August, closing Coveleigh Club along with eight other area beaches after more than 1.5 inches of rain in two days. That amount of rainfall in a 24-hour period is enough to overflow the area’s sewer systems and cause polluted stormwater — including fecal matter — to runoff into the Long Island Sound.
It’s currently warm, hazy and sunny in Rye – although the National Weather Service has reported a slight chance of rain and thunderstorms on Thursday, and more rain Friday through Sunday.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
