Snow Blanketing Eastern Shore

OCEAN CITY, Md. (AP) -- The beach isn't the place to escape winter weather in Maryland this Christmas weekend. 

Several inches of snow have accumulated in Ocean City -- including measurable snowfall on the boardwalk and the beach itself. Mayor Rick Meehan tells The Associated Press that the resort town could end up with a foot of snow. He says, "It's a bit of a pain, but it's beautiful out there right now." 

Meehan says the city has enough snow removal money in the budget to deal with the occasional major storm, like the blizzards of February 2010. He says city crews are working hard and that the roads are passable. 

Meehan says there have been no major accidents or incidents. He says traffic is light and that people appear to be taking it easy and watching football. He says the weather is expected to improve in time for New Year's weekend.

Meanwhile, the southern end of Maryland's Eastern Shore doesn't usually get hit as hard by winter weather as the rest
of the state, but one Pocomoke City resident says the town is dealing with near-blizzard conditions. 

Walter Eskiewicz, owner of Littleton's Bed and Breakfast, says the town had received at least 8 inches by early Sunday afternoon. 

He tells The Associated Press that the streets are deserted and impassable, and his four guest rooms are empty. He says business has been slow all month because of the economic downturn, but he's taking the chance to do some renovations to the historic property, which was built in 1860. 

Eskiewicz says the blizzards of February 2010 only led to a dusting of snow in Pocomoke City. But he says Sunday's storm appears to have reversed the usual pattern for winter weather in the region.

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)