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Sewage overflow prompts swimming advisory in Bay County

Recent heavy rainfall has caused thousands of gallons of raw sewage to flow into local waterways in Bay County, prompting a swimming advisory for certain areas.

The Florida Department of Health in Bay County issued the advisory on Tuesday for Lake Huntington and sections of the Lynn Haven Bayou and the Massalina Bayou.

For the Lynn Haven Bayou, the section between West 10th Street North to West 6th Street is under an advisory.

For the Massalina Bayou, the section between East 6th Street and East Beach Drive is under an advisory.

Swimming in those areas can expose people to intestinal viruses, bacteria and parasites, the department warns.

Lynn Haven has reported that 380,000 gallons of raw sewage has entered the bayou through a storm drain after a manhole overflowed due to recent heavy rainfall.

Lake Huntington received 6,300 gallons and 8,500 entered Massalina Bayou.

Local officials are testing the water. The advisory will be lifted when levels are safe.

Valerie Crowder is a freelance journalist based in Tallahassee, Fl. She's the former ATC host/government reporter for WFSU News. Her reporting on local government and politics has received state and regional award recognition. She has also contributed stories to NPR newscasts.