What You Need To Know About Mississippi Beach Closures

(KTDY) - Some beachgoers are being warned to stay away from some of their favorite beaches this weekend along the Gulf Coast.

As the temperatures begin to warm up, more and more people are looking for ways to cool down, and visiting their favorite beaches along the Gulf Coast is a favorite during this time of year.

Well, we have some unfortunate news to share here, some of your favorite beaches are closed now.

According to a social media post we came across, several beaches along the Mississippi coast are closed as of Friday, May 15, 2026, due to high levels of fecal bacteria in the water.

Beaches closed along the Gulf Coast this weekend include Biloxi, Gulfport, Pass Christian, and Bay St. Louis.

So, if you planned on making a weekend trip to Mississippi to visit the beach, plan to either cancel the trip or drive a few more miles east to Alabama or Florida.

Dangers of High-Level Fecal Bacteria in Water

According to the National Institutes of Health, if someone is exposed to fecal bacteria in water, either through contact with the skin or consumption, iit can lead to diarrhea, vomiting, fever, and skin/ear/eye infections. Children are particularly vulnerable to severe illness.

Sadly, severe cases of fecal exposure can lead to dehydration and, in the case of certain viruses like Hepatitis A, liver toxicity. Hence, you DO NOT want to be the water when beaches are closed due to fecal matter being detected.

We highly encourage you to share this alert on social media with others who may be in the area or planning to visit the beaches in that area. Once we hear that the beaches are safe to visit, we will share that information here and on this station's app.