Ocean City is no stranger to high winds during hurricane season - but a blizzard of this magnitude is unusual.
The Eastern Shore is digging out this morning after a powerful winter storm dumped more than a foot of snow, unleashed hurricane-force wind gusts, and triggered coastal flooding concerns across the region.
Gov. Wes Moore declared a State of Emergency before the blizzard intensified, activating National Guard troops to assist with storm response and recovery efforts. In Ocean City, heavy snow combined with fierce winds and a strong coastal surge created dangerous conditions along Coastal Highway and throughout surrounding neighborhoods. Plows and salt crews worked through the night, but officials say many roads remain slushy and slick. “It hasn’t been this bad in a long time,” said contractor Cliff Cordell. “It’s definitely a wild one right now.” Scattered power outages left neighborhoods in Ocean City and nearby Fenwick Island in the dark. Residents reported seeing sparks and hearing loud booms as strong winds brought down trees and power lines. “ We lost it about 10 o’clock last night,” said Thomas Adkins. “We saw a lot of sparks and a lot of loud noises through Fenwick. We’ve just been riding it out. A lot of blankets."Utility companies report widespread outages across Delmarva. In Maryland alone, Choptank Electric Cooperative reported more than 15,000 outages in Worcester County, with thousands more in Talbot, Dorchester, and Queen Anne’s counties. At the height of the storm, utility crews were forced to temporarily suspend restoration efforts because conditions were too dangerous. Now, additional crews from Virginia are heading in to assist, but officials warn some customers could remain without power for multiple days. Ocean City is no stranger to high winds during hurricane season — but a blizzard of this magnitude is unusual. “This is the first time we’ve seen this kind of snow on the beach,” said resident Shawnna Stanton. “The trees fell over. Everything is closed. Ross is closed, Dollar Tree is closed, Wawa barely has people working. It’s really bad.” The normally quiet offseason resort town has become a near ghost town, with businesses, gas stations, and even the casino shut down due to weather and power issues.City leaders say crews are assessing infrastructure and closely monitoring storm drains as temperatures begin to fluctuate and the snow starts to melt. Officials remain concerned about potential coastal flooding and are urging residents to avoid unnecessary travel.With cold temperatures settling in and cleanup just beginning, authorities are asking residents to remain patient and prepare for extended outages as recovery continues across the Eastern Shore.Several big names are set to perform in Western New York this summer.A parolee who was charged after a police chase that led to a crash in Rochester last week has been released on his own recognizance.Rochester, N.Y. — Six New York Army National Guard Soldiers, who came to the aid of French Special Forces troops during a mission in August of 2023 in Northern
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