SEATTLE (AP) - Health officials are warning people to stay away from the area beaches and bodies of water where the region’s record-breaking rainstorms have caused sewage spills.
Medina Park Beach along Lake Washington, Saltwater State Park in Des Moines and Port Washington Narrows in Kitsap County all were hit by sewage overflow caused by a 48-hour storm system that soaked the region.
The heavy rainstorm began Thursday, dropping more than 6 inches (15.24 centimeters) of rain before easing up Saturday.
Friday became the wettest day in Seattle in the past 10 years, and the most rain recorded for Dec. 20 since record-keeping at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport began in 1945.
The National Weather Service said the airport recorded 3.25 inches (8.25 centimeters) of rain Friday, making it also the fifth rainiest day in city history.
Seattle also broke a daily rainfall record on Thursday with 2.91 inches (7.39 centimeters) of precipitation, making it the 11th wettest day recorded at the airport.
King County said the Medina Pump Station was fully functioning when it overflowed on Friday for about four hours.
Advisory signs have been posted. Officials said coming into contact with fecal contaminated waters can cause gastroenteritis, skin rashes, upper respiratory infections, and other waterborne illnesses.
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