By MADDY VITALE
Tropical Storm Isaias made its way up the coast Tuesday and into Ocean City, leaving property damaged, a lot of downed trees and utility wires, loss of power and debris in its wake.
There were no reported injuries in Ocean City, officials said.
And something else good about the tropical storm for coastal communities: Unlike in some tropical storms, this one took an inland track.
“Because of the inland track, Ocean City was fortunate in many ways. We were spared the heaviest rainfall, and the island experienced virtually no flooding,” explained Ocean City Public Information Officer Doug Bergen.
Not all communities in the area were so lucky.
Video courtesy Michael and Christina Tolson
According to the National Weather Service, a tornado touched down Tuesday morning in Marmora, leaving significant property damage, including to a Coca-Cola plant.
Bergen said Ocean City was fortunate, but that the storm definitely was powerful.
“It was a wind event here,” he noted.
Winds peaked between 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. with sustained speeds greater than 50 mph and a couple gusts as high as 72 mph, he said.
“The storm downed trees, limbs and utility wires. Some homes and buildings experienced exterior damage, and there are about 2,000 homes without power,” Bergen said.
On Tuesday night, Mayor Jay Gillian said in a weather statement that people should continue to use caution when going out, and that the surf conditions are “extremely rough.” People are to stay out of the ocean and follow guidance from the Ocean City Beach Patrol on Wednesday, he added.
The storm passed, “But winds that gusted as high as 72 mph have left a lot of damage. Please use absolute caution on the streets, as downed wires may still be live,” Gillian said.
He continued, “Do not walk or drive past the cones marking these hazards. Use caution when driving, as our Public Works crews are still working to clear trees, limbs and other obstructions.”
The mayor said that officials from the utility company have told the city that “storm damage region-wide is comparable to what we experienced after Superstorm Sandy.”
Throughout town, trees, leaves, branches and debris were strewn in the roadways, on yards and on sidewalks.
A large tree was unearthed and on its side in front of the Ocean City Tabernacle, located at 550 Wesley Ave.
At 331 Wesley Ave., another massive tree fell. It toppled over onto a car before landing into the roadway.
Alannah Daly and her family tried to guess which tree would go down Tuesday morning in front of their vacation home on Wesley Avenue.
“We have big ones in front of the house,” Daly said. “We were placing bets on which one would fall first.”
No one appeared to win that bet.
“The one that fell wasn’t the one we thought would,” Daly said. “I think the others will fall by the end of the week.”
By late afternoon, the sun came out and the winds began to die down.
Video Credit: Alannah & Sinead Daly
While the city has been moving steadily on a beach replenishment program, the project was temporarily halted ahead of the storm.
It is unclear how much beach erosion occurred due to the storm. The city saw flooding and erosion from the July 10 Tropical Storm Fay, but it had 50 mph wind gusts as opposed to more than 70 mph from Tropical Storm Isaias.
“It’s still too early to assess beach erosion,” Bergen said. “But the system moved by relatively quickly, so we’re hoping for the best.”
Third Ward City Councilman Jody Levchuk, co-owner of the Jilly’s Boardwalk stores, said some of the Boardwalk stores lost power Tuesday.
“We delayed our staff until further notice,” Levchuk said of opening some of the Jilly’s stores. “I’m having everyone come in still at 5 p.m. and we will see.”
Levchuk said he was philosophical about it.
If for some reason the power does not return, he will go out into the community and help clean up, he noted.
“There are branches and leaves everywhere. I am confident the town will do a good job cleaning up, but it doesn’t hurt to help,” Levchuk pointed out. “The sun is out now. It would be a good community-minded thing for all of us to go outside and help pick up leaves and branches after the storm.”
