Ocean City Emergency Services is continuing to monitor the projected path of Hurricane Sandy. At this time the path remains consistent with initial forecasts, estimating sustained winds at 40-45 mph and gusts between 55-60 mph. Approximately 10 inches of rain is expected, which will result in severe flooding when combined with the storm and tidal surges.
At approximately 9 a.m. today, October 28, the Town of Ocean City implemented Phase II of the Emergency Evacuation Plan. Due to the severe flooding which is expected during the storm, a mandatory evacuation of all residents in the downtown area (south of 17th Street) was issued and was effective immediately. All residents in these areas must evacuate before 8 p.m. today. All non-resident property owners, vacationers and visitors must also evacuate by the 8 p.m. deadline. In addition, a voluntary evacuation order is in place for residents and occupants of known low lying areas.
Ocean City Mayor Rick Meehan declared a local State of Emergency, issuing an order to close the beach to all persons until further notice. In addition, the inlet lot will be closed beginning at 5 p.m. and will not reopen for the duration of the storm, which is expected to last two to three days.
The Ocean City Police Department, with the assistance of the Maryland State Police, has conducted and finished a door-to-door notification of the mandatory evacuation zone. A hard road closure will be set at 17th Street and Coastal Highway beginning at 5 p.m. today. In addition, Route 50 will be closed at Inlet Isle Lane for entry into Ocean City. Route 90 will remain open both ways at this time.
During the storm, the Town of Ocean City will be posting storm-related information on various websites, social media outlets, through the GovDelivery system and the television access channel. Citizens are asked to tune into Ocean City’s Government Access Channel (4 & 15) for further detailed information or advisories. To subscribe to GovDelivery, visit the “City Wide Alerts” tab on the Town of Ocean City’s website athttp://oceancitymd.gov/.
The next scheduled update is expected at approximately 9 a.m. tomorrow October 29.
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