Local News

Ocean City Prepares For Hanna

OCEAN CITY, Md. (WJZ) ― Ocean City is preparing for Hanna.

Mike Hellgren reports heavy rains and abnormal winds could be possible. Ocean City officials say they are monitoring the situation.

As a precaution crews have been ordered to take away anything that can blow away. That's because the winds are coming and they do expect some rain as well. 

Officials are also putting up snow fences along the beach. They hope the sand will pile up on the beach side of the fence instead of going on the boardwalk.  They also put up high water signs on the south end of the boardwalk.

Meanwhile, the ocean is a little choppier than normal. Some beach-goers remain on the beach, though, as Maryland prepares for Hanna.

The mayor tells Eyewitness News he does not expect the storm to pack a devastating punch, although it's not a thing to take lightly.

"It's a bit disorganized. By the time it gets up in our area, it's going to be a coastal storm event. We are looking now at maybe winds 40, 45 miles per hour sustained Saturday morning, 9 o'clock in the morning until five in the afternoon," said Ocean City Mayor Rick Meehan.

Officials have already taken down the seats of the ferris wheel on the boardwalk.

Hanna has already shown itself as a killer. It lashed Haiti, taking more than 60 lives there. Emergency officials from Florida to the Carolinas are taking action.
 
"We have to watch this storm very closely because we don't know the intensity that it's going to be and I am not sure where it will make landfall," said David Paulison, FEMA Director. 

September is prime time for hurricanes and tropical storms. As they line up from Ike to Josephine, it's too early to tell if those storms will impact Maryland's coastline. But officials are keeping a close eye. 

A more immediate danger to people in Ocean City is the rip currents, which can drown those who are not prepared for them.

"I got caught up in them twice. And I figured if I got out twice, that's enough," said John Gillespie, beach-goer.

Ocean City has weathered master storms before, including one in 1993 and Wilma from three years ago. 

Through all the storms, the beach resorts have learned a lot of lessons, including taking nothing for granted when it comes to the power of nature.

Businesses are still open. The mayor says if people are planning to come to the beach this weekend, pay close attention to the weather forecast. During the height of the storm people should stay indoors.  

Hellgren reports that it started raining in Ocean City around 4 p.m.

Officials say they are watching the storm and will make more changes if necessary.

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