The Mississippi Department of Marine Resources has closed five oyster areas because of the excessive rainfall and the rise of the Pearl River.

• Northern portions of the Pass Christian and Henderson Point reefs and Hornets Reef.
• Waveland and St. Stanislaus reefs.
• Public reefs in St. Louis Bay between the U.S. 90 bridge and the CSX railroad bridge.
• Square Handkerchief Reef and southern portions of Henderson Point reef.
• Southern portions of the Pass Christian Reef.
• These areas will reopen when water samples meet MDMR’s management plan criteria.

For more information, call the Oyster Hotline at 228-374-5167 or 1-800-385-5902.

The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality has issued three water contact advisories in Hancock County. These segments of beach aren’t closed, but there may be an increased risk of illness from swimming in these areas because of high bacteria levels:

• Lakeshore Beach – from the Silver Slipper Casino to Pointset Avenue.
• Buccaneer State Park Beach – near State Park Road.
• Bay St. Louis Beach – from the box culvert to Ballantine Street.