SURFSIDE, Fla. – Swimmers along South Florida's beaches have been seeing an influx of jellyfish in the ocean and along the shoreline, and lifeguards at one beach are telling people to stay out of the water.
The red "no swimming" flag flew alongside the purple flag denoting dangerous marine life Tuesday at Haulover Beach. So many people complained of being stung by jellyfish that lifeguards raised the red flag.
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In the final days of summer, beach-goers wonder if Haulover will again be closed Wednesday?
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Miami Beach lifeguard Osvardo Garcia said he treated at least seven people Monday for jellyfish stings by pouring white vinegar on the sting.
Swimmers said the pain is distinctive.
"Terrible," laughed one Miami resident.
"I don't know why there are here, why today. But there are a lot of them," Garcia said.
Scientists believe it isn't unusual to see swarms of jellyfish at different times in a year. One possible reason why the slimy creatures swarm is rain, they say. Rain feeds plants beneath the sea, and jellyfish feed on them, some scientists have theorized.
Swimmers are warned to stay away.
"We tell people, even if they are out of the water, do not touch them, and we try to keep them away," Garcia said.
Most beaches have remained open but have had purple flags flying as a warning that jellyfish are present.
Click here for information on the symptoms of a jellyfish sting.