CHARLOTTE COUNTY, Fla. — According to the latest data from the FWC Map of the current state of the red tidetide is no longer detected in Charlotte County waters.

Although low populations were found near the south of the county in Cayo Palau and Boca Grande, samples taken from Charlotte County were clear of the bacteria.

Watch Fox 4’s Alex Orenczuk report on the current state of red tide in Charlotte County:

Charlotte County waters test negative for red tide ahead of Veteran’s Day

“We’re not seeing anything that’s of immediate major concern, but you know things change from day to day,” said Brandon Moody, Charlotte County’s water quality manager.

Low red tide concentrations were found in late October near Placida and other areas of the county. Moody said easterly winds could help keep the bacteria away from the coast.

“I think right now we’re mostly benefiting from the winds that continue to blow to the east,” Moody said. “As long as that continues, it’s going to play a role in keeping the boom that we think is offshore, offshore.”

Moody also said that preliminary data suggested that Hurricanes Helene and Milton did not introduce as many nutrients that feed the Red Sea as Hurricane Ian, which could help explain the low-to-zero populations of the bacteria found in the county.

“What data we’ve gotten so far, particularly in terms of bacteria levels after the event, in things like oxygen demand from things like bacterial action is definitely lower, in some cases dramatically lower than what we saw after Ian” , Moody said. “So we have little data to suggest that, based on what we’re seeing so far, these hurricanes haven’t had quite the level of impact on water quality in the surrounding area that Ian had.”

Moody said the impact of the small presence of red tide that has been found in the county remains minimal, despite anecdotal reports of fish kills and respiratory irritation. He said it’s unlikely you’ll encounter any red tide while out on the water right now, and he won’t change his plans to avoid the water this Veteran’s Day weekend.

Fox 4.

“I personally wouldn’t change my plans if I was looking for a day on the water this weekend,” Moody said.

Water sampling and testing will continue and results can be found by CLICK HERE.