DUVAL COUNTY, Fla. – On a clear afternoon near Fort George, Nancy Frashuer sits by the water. It is the kind of view she says has kept her in the area for decades.
“It’s a beautiful location,” Frashuer said. “The sunrise is magnificent and the moon rise is too.”
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Frashuer has lived near Fort George Inlet for 26 years, and she told News4JAX the water has always been a non-negotiable part of her life.
“Water is just soothing to me,” she said. “It’s part of life. It’s an important part.”
This week, though, she said she’s being cautious — after the Florida Department of Health issued red tide alerts for parts of Duval County near Fort George.
The Florida Department of Health in Duval County (DOH-Duval) issued a red tide alert for Fort George Inlet after a water sample taken Aug. 6, the agency said.
A second alert was issued for Kingsley Plantation, north of the Fort George River, after a water sample taken Aug. 11.
Health officials say people should avoid swimming or wading in affected areas.
What symptoms to watch for
DOH-Duval says red tide can cause skin irritation, rashes, and burning or sore eyes, and it can be especially problematic for older adults, young children, people who are immunocompromised and people with chronic respiratory conditions.
Frashuer said she’s paying attention to the warnings.
“I just read about it and just see what the symptoms are and I stay out of it,” she said.
Jacksonville University Marine Research Institute researcher Gerry Pinto told News4JAX this year’s detections are notable because they’re showing up farther inland than typical.
He said that may be in part to high temperatures and recent rainfall.
Pinto said people may not see discolored water unless concentrations get much higher, but people should still be careful.
“Generally, if there’s any kind of wave action at all, the toxin can get aerosolized,” Pinto said. “That’s when people tend to notice it… it’ll cause your eyes to water and your throat to feel sore.”
What officials recommend
DOH-Duval is advising residents and visitors near affected areas to:
- Avoid swimming or wading in or around red tide
- Wash skin and clothing with soap and fresh water if you have contact with affected water
- Stay away if you are more sensitive to irritation, including those with respiratory conditions
- Do not harvest or eat molluscan shellfish from affected areas
- Do not eat distressed or dead fish from affected waters
- Keep pets away from affected water and dead marine life
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) said over the past week no fish kills or respiratory irritation suspected to be related to red tide were reported.
FWC also said Duval County has seen very low to medium concentrations, and that bloom concentrations were present for the first time this season in two samples from Duval County.
How to track red tide near you
FWC posts updated sampling information on its Red Tide Current Status map here:https://gis.myfwc.com/redtidecurrentstatus/
Who to call
- Florida Poison Information Center: 800-222-1222 (for symptoms after possible exposure)
- FWC Fish Kill Hotline: 800-636-0511 (to report dead, diseased, or abnormally behaving fish or wildlife)
Frashuer said for now, she’s sticking to the guidance.
“If they say stay out of the water I do that,” she said.