All that stuff built up inland — germs that have been just sitting in the gutters and sidewalks for months — guess where it’s headed?

We’re in the midst of the first big rain of the season, and for those hoping to hit the swell coming in Wednesday, you might want to reconsider.

The beaches are always a mess after the first big rain following the dry season, with all kinds of interesting and weird things making their way to the sand via water systems that stretch inland and connect to the ocean, such as the Santa Ana River in Newport Beach or San Gabriel River in Seal Beach.

The envirnomental group Heal the Bay sent out a warning for southland residents to avoid beaches for 72 hours after heavy rainfall.

After heavy rains, outfalls “spew man-made debris, animal waste, pesticides, automotive fluids and human-gastrointestinal viruses into the marine ecosystem. This pollution poses human health risks, harms marine life and dampens the tourist economy by littering shorelines.”

EW.  

They also note that exposure to runoff can cause illnesses such as the stomach flu.

Lifeguard Chief Joe Bailey in Seal Beach said the massive flush handn’t happened yet at the San Gabriel River (as of about 1 p.m.), but will likely happen after tonight’s rain.

How can you help diminish the nastiness that flows to our ocean?

Heal the Bay recommends: Keep trash out of gutters and storm drains, dispose of animal waste and automotive fluids properly, and avoid overwatering lawns and plants. For more tips, go to http://www.healthebay.org/waystoheal

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