Check before you go: 4 NJ beaches closed, dozens under advisories

☑️Four New Jersey beaches closed Thursday to swimming after high bacteria readings

☑️Forty-eight ocean, bay and river beaches remain under swimming advisories

☑️ More heavy rain Thursday could lead to additional advisories or beach closures

Four New Jersey beaches at the Jersey Shore are closed to swimming as of Thursday morning, with more potentially joining the list.

The state Department of Environmental Protection found unacceptably high levels of bacteria in 48 ocean, bay and river beaches, which were placed under a swimming advisory. If a second test comes back at the same level, the beach is closed for swimming.

The runoff from the weekend's heavy rains likely brought waste from geese, seagulls, and other animals into the swimming area.

As of Thursday morning, the four beaches where swimming is prohibited are:

• Atlantic Highlands: Highlands Recreation Center (bay beach)
• Belmar: L Street Beach (river beach)
• Long Beach Island: Stockton Ave Beach (bay beach)
• Sea Girt: The Terrace (ocean beach)

The DEP told NJ.com that the beaches were last tested on Wednesday afternoon. The results will be released on on Thursday along with other test results.

ALSO READ: NJ's beach monitor

Belmar

What happens if you swim in the affected water?

High levels of bacteria could cause gastrointestinal and respiratory issues for swimmers.

Contact with the water can result in any one or more of the following symptoms:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Abdominal pain
• Sore throat
• Cough
• Runny nose/sneezing
• Skin rash and itching
• Ear and eye irritation
• Fever and chills

Most of the time, these symptoms are minor, DEP said. But they can occasionally be more serious, especially in children and the elderly.

New Jersey 101.5 Chief Meteorologist Dan Zarrow says there could be more heavy rains on Thursday.

"As our atmosphere taps into some rich moisture, these storms could spit out some impressive rainfall — a Flood Watch has been issued for part of Southwestern New Jersey (Burlington, Camden, Gloucester, and Salem counties), cautioning of 1 to 2 inches per hour rainfall rates," Zarrow said.

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