Hurricane Dorian Maryland: Storm Leaves, Coastal Concerns Remain

MARYLAND — Hurricane Dorian is well north of Maryland, leaving choppy waters in its wake. By 11 a.m. Saturday, the hurricane was 205 miles south-southeast of Eastport, Maine, with 85 mph winds. As the storm brushed by the Eastern Shore, there was a 46 mph gust recorded in Ocean City before 11:30 a.m. Friday, according to unofficial National Weather Service data. Some roads in Ocean City flooded during the storm, and swimming restrictions were in place Friday. By Saturday morning, town officials said the sun had returned in Ocean City.

"While the sun is expected to shine [Saturday], strong rip currents are likely to continue and beachgoers are urged to use common sense and extra caution," the town of Ocean City said in a statement.

Rip currents are powerful channels of water that pull people away from shore. They tend to form near jetties, sandbars and piers. Signs of a rip current include noticeable difference in water color; a break in the wave pattern; a line of debris, seaweed or foam moving away from shore; and/or a channel of water that is churning and choppy.

Here's how to stay safe if you are caught in a rip current:

• Swim parallel to the shore; do not try to swim toward land. By swimming parallel to shore, you are likely to get out of the rip current, which tends to be a narrow channel; then swim at an angle in to shore.
• Don't panic if you feel tired or don't think you will be able to make it out of the rip current. Tread water, waving your arms and calling for help while facing shore.

People in Ocean City should not swim unless they are supervised, officials advise.

"Remember our saying: 'Keep your feet in the sand until the lifeguard’s in the stand,'" the Ocean City Beach Patrol said. "Never go in the ocean when the beach patrol is not on duty."

The Ocean City Beach Patrol is on duty every day from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Officials said the water temperature was 71 degrees Saturday, and modified surfing restrictions were in place, allowing surfing along all Ocean City beaches as long as surfers wear a leash and grant right-of-way to swimmers. They must remain more than 50 yards from the nearest swimmer or non-surfer. Skimboards, kite surfers, windsurfers and kayaks are prohibited.

The National Weather Service issued a beach hazards statement for Maryland beaches due to rip currents and rough surf. Elsewhere, concerns about tidal flooding remain.

Here are all the current weather alerts from the National Weather Service:

Maryland beaches

• Beach hazards statement until 8 p.m. Saturday
• Rip current statement until 8 p.m. Saturday

Dorchester, Somerset and Wicomico counties

• Coastal flood warning until 6 a.m. Sunday
• Hazardous weather outlook

Anne Arundel County

• Coastal flood advisory until 5 p.m. Saturday
• Coastal flood watch from 7 p.m. Saturday to 9 a.m. Sunday
• Hazardous weather outlook

Calvert County

• Coastal flood advisory until September 7, 02:00 PM EDT until 2 p.m. Saturday
• Coastal flood watch from 4 p.m. Saturday to 6 a.m. Sunday
• Hazardous weather outlook

Caroline, Queen Anne's and Talbot counties

• Coastal flood advisory from 11 p.m. Saturday to 4 a.m. Sunday
• Hazardous weather outlook

St. Mary's County

• Coastal flood advisory until 1 p.m. Saturday
• Coastal flood watch from 1 p.m. Saturday to 2 a.m. Sunday
• Hazardous weather outlook

Worcester County

• Coastal flood advisory until 7 p.m. Saturday
• Hazardous weather outlook

Cecil and Kent counties

• Hazardous weather outlook

SEE ALSO:

• Hurricane Dorian In Ocean City: Heavy Surf About To Swamp Cars
• Hurricane Dorian Moving Towards Canada; Storm Conditions In MA
  

During the height of the storm in Ocean City, there were a handful of road closures because of high water. Here are some of the sights and sounds from the storm in Ocean City on Friday.