Red tide warning (Tampa, Sarasota, Siesta Key: allergies, move, beach)

[olderandwiser456]

I was browsing on a weather site today (wunderground.com), and looking at Sarasota, ran across Florida Red Tide warnings for 2/24/17 to 2/27/17, in some areas in Sarasota County along with parts of other counties, north and south of Sarasota.

After visiting the NOAA site, I looked at the MOTE site that has reports on specific beaches. I didn't see any indication on the MOTE site that Siesta Key, for example, had a red tide issue today. I'm not sure how often any of these sites are updated.

https://tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov/hab/

Beach Conditions Reporting System

My question is regarding how often the red tides impact beaches around Sarasota, and if there is a pattern (more frequent at certain times of year, etc). I guess I was surprised to see the beach warning today, though I have no idea how frequently the red tides appear on beaches in the Sarasota area.

[FLHfan]

We were on the beach at blind pass Friday. Lots of people coughing.

[elizabeth224]

Does Red Tide occur throughout the year? I always thought it was seasonal. Is it treated the same way as allergies? Antihistamines and decongestants?

[MattMN]

Originally Posted by elizabeth224

Does Red Tide occur throughout the year? I always thought it was seasonal. Is it treated the same way as allergies? Antihistamines and decongestants?

Good questions. I've heard it is more common in the fall than spring or summer, but I'd love to hear from people who have been in the area longer than I have about when it tends to appear.

Ultimately while the likelihood is somewhat seasonal, when it's here it's really more a day-by-day thing. Red tide comes from a certain type of algea in the water. It can form, dissipate, move close to shore or farther out, and effects can be affected by the direction and strength of the winds, all of which can vary every day.

I have not heard that there is "treatment". It's like pollutant in the air - you can't avoid breathing it in, and it will cause coughing / respiratory issues.

[La-La land]

In LBK this week, red tide seemed intermittent on the beach. You could hear people coughing all at the same time, then nothing for a while. Same on the water in the bay, fine for a while, then hacking.
Red tide seems to be very persistent this year. Hopefully it isn't here to stay.

[SeekingWarmth211]

From what I have observed, this area has persistent red tide due to sewage that spills into the gulf from Tampa's overtaxed, outdated waste water treatment facilities.

[newstudent299]

I've been wondering myself about the prevalence of red tide over the past few years, it seems to be getting worse.

[kapikap]

Has this not been a problem for the past couple of years?

I recall a serious sea grass issue in parts along the south USA and Carribean. Is that still happenning?

I lookes at this subforum for info on the gulf coast beaches, thanks for the heads up, planning to visit in april.

[llrivero]

I was out at blind pass beach on Sunday... they had warning signs up about the Red Tide. I didn't notice a problem.. and there were lots of people in the water swimming. Typically it is later summer and early fall that it affects us.... but here we are! Still dealing with it....... weird!

[lifeisgoodmrsg]

I found a number to call for water conditions...941.232.2437