Hermine possbile threat to OC businesses
Hermine could bring wind and rain to Delmarva this weekend, which will likely put quite the damper on the holiday weekend that is typically considered the last hurrah of summer. So, will it affect visitors and businesses in Ocean City?
One of Ocean City’s hottest attractions, Seacrets, isn’t too worried about the storm. 47 ABC spoke with Assistant general manager Justin Grimes and he says if Hermine does wreak havoc on Ocean City, they have a plan.
Grimes tells 47 ABC, “Sandbags are a big part of it making sure no water can get inside the property, breaking down bars areas that can get damaged, stuff like that, electronic stuff, we’ll break down speakers, lights, anything that can be damaged by the storm we’ll take down we’ll break it all down. So we’ll see within the next 24 to 48 hours we’ll make the call what we’re going to do and go from there.”
When asked if Grimes is worried about the potential for loss of business, he says, “Yeah you worry about it but you just have to play it as it comes and we’ll see how it goes but I think anyone in town would be scared at a loss of business.”
Including Wayne Carey of Top Gun Watersports. Carey tells 47 ABC, “Right now we’re holding, we’ve definitely got our game plan going and it depends on what play we’re going to call.”
To prepare for the storm, Carey says he ensures that all docks are secure, as well as his jet skis. Carey tells 47 ABC, “I’ve got everybody all hands on deck. I’ve got everybody on call ready to go and if we need to start moving stuff pulling stuff tying stuff but by tomorrow night we’ll definitely be ready. Obviously I’m going to be a little disappointed if we can’t run but you know I don’t want to send anybody out and have anything go wrong.”
Whether Hermine ends up being a big storm or not, folks like Jarrett Black from Harford County says he’s not letting this ruin his vacation plans. Black tells 47 ABC, “I just got down here today the storm is not scaring me one bit.”
Robert and Jenelle Hicks are visiting Ocean City from Delaware and they tell 47 ABC they originally planned on leaving on Sunday and they will be sticking to that plan. Robert Hicks tells 47 ABC, “If things change and the track says it’s probably going to hit us sooner then we may plan on leaving a little earlier on Sunday but our plan is to stick to leaving Sunday.”
And if you plan on driving this weekend, like the Hicks family, the Maryland State Highway Administration is warning folks to be mindful of the possibility of bad conditions on the roads.
Donnie Drewer is the district engineer for the State Highway Administration and he says if you don’t need to drive, don’t. But Drewer says he understands that some don’t have that option, so if you do have to be out on the roads, try to stay aware and avoid areas with high waters and downed trees.
Drewer tells 47 ABC, “This is one of the major weekends being Labor Day and there’s a lot of traffic on the highways. Just use common sense when you’re out there driving. I wouldn’t even say drive the speed limit, you drive wherever you feel safe at.”
