Dear Friends,
We’re all very fortunate that Hurricane Erin is following a track that will remain far from Ocean City. But we will still see effects from the distant storm, and I want to make sure everyone is prepared.
We’ve seen rough seas from strong northeast winds all week, and the waves will only get bigger and stronger as the storm approaches and passes by New Jersey on Thursday. The beaches will remain open, but our beach patrol will restrict swimming — either entirely or only to the shallowest water — over the next few days. Please never enter the ocean on an unguarded beach and always respect the guidance of our lifeguards.
The National Weather Service is also predicting significant coastal flooding that will peak on Thursday. Everyone should be prepared to move vehicles to safe places well in advance of high tides this week. The most severe flooding is expected to occur at high tide at 7:50 p.m. Thursday. We expect to open the safest municipal parking lots for free on Thursday and will provide more information well in advance of that time. The roads closer to the beach including Central and Wesley Avenues, are typically at higher elevation. Parking will be available at the Trinity United Methodist Church at 20 North Shore Road in Marmora (please read letter from Trinity if you take advantage of this service).
I will continue to provide updates regularly as the storm approaches on Thursday. Because many of the people in town may not be familiar with flooding events, please share this information with your friends, neighbors and anybody else who might need to know.
Warm regards,
Jay Gillian
