Mayor’s Storm Update- August 31
Dear Friends,
Ocean City is expecting more heavy rain on Wednesday and Thursday as what’s left of Hurricane Ida moves through the region. Conditions could be similar to what we saw on Sunday.
Far too many people were on the road during the height of the flooding this weekend. The wakes created by vehicles plowing quickly through flood waters can swamp other vehicles and nearby properties and cause substantial damage. Driving through flood waters is also a threat to your own safety and an easy way to ruin your own vehicle.
Please take care of important business today and tomorrow morning, then stay off the roads when the heavy rains arrive on Wednesday late afternoon and evening. Our police department will be enforcing reckless driving laws for anybody speeding through flood waters.
With our ground already saturated and water tables high, street flooding is possible on all areas of the island.
The city will open all municipal parking lots (surface lots and metered lots) for free safe parking. The parking will be free starting on Wednesday and will be available for the duration of the storm. Please be aware that while these lots will offer a safe spot, flooding may block access to them during the storm. Driveways and street parking near mid-block are safer, if those options are available. Parking also will be available at the Trinity United Methodist Church at 20 North Shore Road in Marmora.
All of our pumping stations are working as designed, and we have a dedicated pump station and drainage team that monitors all 10 stations throughout the island before, during and after every storm event. The team is aware that the area around 28th and 29th Street was the last to drain on Sunday after the rain subsided, and they are investigating any possible issues or adjustments that need to be made. The team is also aware of issues on the 800 block of 5th Street, and I encourage residents and guests to use one of the municipal lots near the high school or the Civic Center.
The city team is also preparing for the storm by inspecting and clearing storm drains, preparing barricades, and carefully tracking the approaching weather system.
I will provide further updates as necessary. Let’s prepare for the worst and hope for the best.