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Beaches open today in Palm Beach County following week of red tide closures

Posted at 6:51 AM, Oct 05, 2018
and last updated 2018-10-05 11:13:20-04

After a week of closures for many beaches across our area for red tide, all beaches in Palm Beach and Martin counties are back open Friday.

However, new signs are in place advising beachgoers of the possible effects of red tide.

Palm Beach County beaches will fly one red and one purple flag, which means hazardous conditions and the presence of dangerous marine life.

RELATED: What is red tide? | Is our seafood safe to eat? | Fish found dead in North Palm Beach | Loggerhead Marinelife Center works to protect wildlife | What's the impact on animals? | Red tide affects water sports | Tourism officials questioned about response | Water woes cause woman to leave Fla. | Will red tide affect stone crab season? | Scientists: More water monitoring needed

The impacts of red tide first started in Jupiter and Juno Beach last Saturday when a number of people suddenly became sick. 

That prompted beach closures from Martin County all the way to Boynton Beach and portions of Miami-Dade County.

Dead fish littered beaches, creating concerns about wildlife and if seafood caught in our waters is safe to eat.

Environmental workers have been collecting water samples and will continue to monitor water quality.

FWC has established a fish kill hotline (800-636-0511) that residents can call to report fish kills, diseased fish or fish with other abnormalities.