Emergency services officials prepare for potential flooding in Worcester County, provide safety tips

OCEAN CITY, Md. Monday, the boardwalk in Ocean City could be described as a ghost town as several businesses were closed due to the current coastal storm.

With 1 to 4 inches of rainfall expected to hit the area within the next 24 hours, emergency services personnel say plans are already being put into action. “Such as clearing storm drains, preparing chainsaws with heavy equipment, and ensuring water treatment facilities continue to operate,” Birch said.

Worcester County Emergency Services Director Billy Birch says the major concern is the potential of severe flooding due to high tides. “We’re looking at flooding of 1 to 2 feet above ground,” Birch said.

“With the northeast winds and the winds changing to the north, the tides are stacking. So we do have areas such as the Ocean City Inlet and numerous other areas that are going to have impacts.”

It’s a family tradition for Tim and Liz Miller to visit Ocean City yearly on this very week.

Although this year may be a little wetter than they’d like, they tell us they’re making the best of a rainy situation. “It’s normally very sunny, so this is very different but we figured its a different experience. A unique experience I should say,” Miller said.

The duo says they’re actually fans of stormy weather. They add that the biggest goal is to remain safe while hoping for a little sun along the way. “The sun is in the forecast for Thursday and Friday so we’re just looking forward to that. So we just have to get through a little bit of storm and then get some sunny days here,” Miller said.

Officials want to advise those living in low line areas prone to flooding and those residing in mobile homes to get familiar with the high tide cycles and move to higher ground if needed.

They’re also asking motorists who encounter flooded roadways to not try to attempt to drive through standing water.

They say turn around and take another route.