Mississippi Gulf Coast Beach Closures Could Have Financial Fallout

On the Mississippi Gulf Coast, there are a lack of beach-goers enjoying the water due to toxic bacteria. Midwest floodwaters polluted with blue-green algae have traveled down to the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Swimmers are steering clear of the coast's blue-green algae because of the possible rashes, diarrhea, and vomiting caused by the cyanobacterium. Coastal Mississippi, a tourism agency, began closing some beaches June 22 and recently closed the last two beaches near the Alabama border. Officials say it is safe to stay on the sand, and even participate in water activities such as kayaking, but still, the beach crowd is much smaller than usual for the summer. On Mississippi's barrier islands, beaches remain open. The closure of beaches will likely be financially destructive, but Coastal Mississippi asserts that the safety of visitors is their priority.