By Donald Wittkowski
Fortunately, there was no repeat of Jonas this time around.
This weekend’s winter storm dumped about a half-foot of snow or more on Ocean City and we escaped without any major damage or significant tidal flooding, officials said.
Compared to the blinding snow, ice floes, ferocious winds and extensive flooding unleased by the infamous nor’easter Jonas in January 2016, this January storm was largely an annoyance.
“It was nice to have a snow storm without the tidal flooding,” said Frank Donato, emergency management coordinator for Ocean City. “We’ll definitely take a snow storm of this variety without the effects of flooding.”
Donato said plow crews with the city’s Public Works Department did a stellar job keeping local streets clear of the estimated 6 to 8 inches of snow that blanketed the town on Saturday.
“It seems that all of the main roads are clear, if not dry,” he said in an interview late Sunday afternoon. “I think for the most part, the town’s in good shape.”
With the primary roads being free of snow, Ocean City’s public schools are scheduled to start at their normal time on Monday morning, Donato said.
Although the storm wasn’t responsible for any significant damage in Ocean City, a fire broke out around 1 a.m. Saturday at a triplex at 836 Plymouth Place. Donato said the triplex was left with heavy smoke and water damage, but no one was injured in the fire.
