Numerous videos posted to social media Sunday afternoon showed rough surf, mild to moderate street flooding and water nearly touching the Ocean City boardwalk, which sits over 100 yards away from the shoreline.
Ocean City Mayor Rick Meehan said in a video message posted online that the nor’easter — though it has not been named — has the potential to bring flooding to Ocean City similar to what was seen during Hurricane Sandy in 2012.
“This is a very serious storm and something we are taking very seriously at the [Emergency Operation Center] in Ocean City,” Meehan said.
Meehan warned residents to prepare for localized power outages and to avoid driving through standing water. With the storm’s severity and potential impact on the city, Meehan said all emergency personnel are “fully staffed and ready to respond.”
A temporary emergency shelter opened at noon Sunday at the Roland E. Powell Convention Center, 4001 Coastal Highway. Those seeking shelter should bring essential items such as food, medications, clothing, chargers and personal necessities.
The Town of Ocean City posted on social media that the shelter will be closing at 6 p.m. Sunday.
Will shutdown impact relief?
Despite a government shutdown, federal disaster relief and resources will still be available if needed by Maryland during and after the storm.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency is considered essential personnel and is required to provide service during a government shutdown.
According to Democratic Rep. Sarah Elfreth’s website, FEMA will be able to respond to emergencies, but long-term projects like hazard mitigation projects will suffer delays because of the lack of funding for the agency’s Disaster Relief Fund caused by the shutdown.
Republican Rep. Andy Harris, who represents Maryland’s Eastern Shore, did not respond to The Baltimore Sun’s request for comment on the extent of FEMA assistance available for residents. The Eastern Shore, primarily Ocean City, is expected to be the most impacted by the storm — which began bringing heavy rain, damaging winds and moderate coastal flooding on Saturday night.
The storm, characterized as a nor’easter because of expected winds of nearly 60 mph, is forecasted to intensify Sunday into Monday, with multiple high-tide cycles likely to worsen flooding in low-lying and bayside communities. High tides are expected around 1 p.m. Sunday, 1 a.m. Monday and around 1 p.m. Monday.
According to the National Weather Service, sustained winds are forecast to reach 35 to 45 mph, with gusts exceeding about 57 mph). Ocean City officials warn that 1 to 2 feet of street flooding could occur in several low-lying areas, including downtown from the Inlet to 15th Street, Isle of Wight Mobile Home Park, Warrens Park, Little Salisbury and northern bayside neighborhoods.
Have a news tip? Contact Matt Hubbard at [email protected], 443-651-0101 or @mthubb on X.