Red Tide Hits Galveston: What Residents and Visitors Need to Know

GALVESTON, Texas, Sept. 12, 2026 — A red tide affecting the Galveston coast is creating respiratory concerns for residents and visitors as dead fish wash ashore and people near the beachfront report coughing, throat irritation and other symptoms.

The harmful algal bloom is associated with Karenia brevis, a microscopic marine organism that produces powerful toxins known as brevetoxins. During a red tide event, waves and surf can release those toxins into the air through tiny droplets of sea spray, potentially causing respiratory irritation even among people who never enter the water.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is forecasting a moderate to high risk of respiratory irritation along portions of the Galveston County coastline during the current event.

For Galveston residents, particularly those living near the seawall and beachfront, the effects of red tide may extend beyond the shoreline.

Why Are People Coughing?

One of the most noticeable effects of red tide is commonly referred to as “red tide cough.”

As waves break along the shoreline, toxins produced by Karenia brevis can become aerosolized and carried inland by wind. People exposed to the contaminated sea spray may experience coughing, sneezing, a scratchy or burning throat, watery or irritated eyes, a runny nose, chest irritation, shortness of breath or wheezing.

Symptoms can become more noticeable when winds are blowing from the Gulf toward land.

People with asthma, chronic bronchitis, COPD, emphysema or other respiratory conditions may be especially sensitive to the airborne toxins and should take additional precautions.

Healthy individuals can also experience symptoms, although respiratory irritation will often improve after leaving the affected area and getting into cleaner indoor air.

Red Tide Can Affect People Away From the Beach

Residents do not necessarily need to be standing along the shoreline to experience red tide.

Research cited by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has detected airborne red tide toxins miles inland during previous blooms. The amount of toxin reaching inland areas varies significantly depending on wind direction, wave activity and the intensity and location of the bloom.

That means residents living several blocks from the Galveston beachfront could potentially notice coughing or irritation when conditions are favorable for contaminated sea spray to move inland.

Residents who notice symptoms around their homes may want to keep windows and doors closed and use air conditioning during periods of significant respiratory irritation.

Why Are Fish Washing Ashore?

The same toxins irritating people’s respiratory systems can be deadly to marine life.

Brevetoxins affect the nervous systems of fish and can interfere with their ability to function and breathe normally. During significant red tide blooms, large fish kills can occur, sometimes resulting in thousands of dead fish washing onto beaches.

Residents and visitors should avoid handling dead or dying fish found along the shoreline and should never eat fish found dead on the beach.

Beachgoers should also consider avoiding areas where large numbers of dead fish are present.

Is Red Tide Dangerous to Humans?

For most otherwise healthy people, brief exposure to airborne red tide toxins typically results in temporary respiratory or eye irritation rather than a medical emergency.

However, more substantial exposure can cause breathing problems, particularly among people with existing respiratory conditions.

Anyone experiencing significant wheezing, persistent shortness of breath, severe chest tightness or difficulty breathing should leave the affected area and seek medical attention.

Severe difficulty breathing, confusion, fainting, blue or gray coloration around the lips or other signs of a medical emergency should prompt a call to 911.

People concerned about possible exposure to harmful algal bloom toxins can also contact Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222.

Should People Go to the Beach?

Beach conditions can vary considerably during a red tide event.

One portion of Galveston may experience noticeable respiratory irritation while another area experiences relatively minor effects. Conditions can also change during the course of a single day.

Wind direction is particularly important.

When winds blow contaminated sea spray toward the island, respiratory symptoms may increase. A change in wind direction can sometimes result in noticeable improvement.

People who begin coughing or experience burning eyes, throat irritation or breathing problems while visiting the beach should move away from the shoreline.

Swimming or wading should also be avoided around dead fish, visibly discolored water or areas experiencing significant bloom activity.

Anyone who enters potentially affected water should rinse off with clean, fresh water afterward.

What About Dogs and Other Pets?

Pet owners should exercise additional caution near affected beaches.

Dogs should not be allowed to eat dead fish or other marine animals found along the shoreline, and owners should prevent pets from drinking suspicious or discolored seawater.

If a dog enters potentially affected water, the animal should be thoroughly rinsed with fresh water before it has an opportunity to lick its fur.

Pet owners who notice unusual symptoms after a beach visit should contact a veterinarian.

Can You Eat Seafood During Red Tide?

One of the biggest food-related concerns during red tide involves shellfish.

Oysters, clams, mussels and other filter-feeding shellfish can accumulate brevetoxins because they filter large amounts of seawater while feeding.

Eating contaminated shellfish can cause neurotoxic shellfish poisoning.

Symptoms can include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, dizziness, tingling or numbness around the mouth and other neurological symptoms.

Cooking contaminated shellfish does not necessarily eliminate the toxins.

Texas authorities monitor shellfish harvesting areas and can close affected waters when conditions make harvesting unsafe. Consumers should follow official closures and obtain shellfish from approved commercial sources.

Finfish, shrimp and crabs are treated differently. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department guidance indicates that edible muscle tissue generally does not accumulate brevetoxin at the same levels as shellfish.

However, people should never eat fish that appear sick, are dying or are found dead during a red tide event.

What Galveston Residents Should Do

Residents near the beach should pay attention to changing conditions over the coming days.

If outdoor air causes coughing, throat irritation or burning eyes, moving indoors and closing windows and doors may reduce exposure. Residents may also want to avoid running, cycling or performing strenuous exercise near the seawall during periods of significant respiratory irritation because heavy breathing increases the amount of air being inhaled.

People with asthma or other respiratory illnesses should be particularly cautious and follow their normal treatment plans and healthcare provider instructions.

Visitors should not assume conditions are identical across the entire island. Red tide blooms can be patchy, and wind and currents can move affected water.

Likewise, a temporary improvement does not necessarily mean the bloom has ended.

How Long Will the Galveston Red Tide Last?

There is no reliable way to predict exactly when a red tide bloom will disappear.

Blooms can change rapidly depending on currents, winds, water temperature and other environmental conditions. They can weaken, strengthen or move to different portions of the coastline.

Galveston residents and visitors should continue monitoring information from NOAA, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, local health officials and other government agencies while the bloom remains present.

The presence of dead fish and respiratory irritation does not mean residents need to evacuate Galveston. It does, however, mean people living and visiting near the Gulf should take the current conditions seriously.

For now, one of the simplest rules is also one of the most useful: If being near the beach makes you cough, causes your eyes or throat to burn, or makes breathing uncomfortable, move away from the shoreline and get indoors.

Galveston City News will continue monitoring the red tide and provide updates as conditions change.