Ocean City Closes Beach As Nor'Easter Bring Strong Winds, Surf

OCEAN CITY, Md. (WJZ) -- As the first part of a Nor'easter comes through the region, officials in Ocean City are keeping a close eye on what is expected to be moderate to severe flooding through the weekend.

In Ocean City, you can miss any signs of mother nature with powerful winds and dangerous surf and flooding that continues to spread. It's condition that caused the beach to closed until further notice, an announcement made early Friday by Ocean City Mayor Rick Meehan

Rick Ritter monitors deteriorating conditions in Ocean City.

As the weekend begins, the storm's nor'easter-like conditions ramps up.

In a press conference, Ocean City's mayor said the city was fortunate that Joaquin appears to be headed off the East Coast, but in the meantime all eyes on on this Nor'easter system that really started Thursday and has ramped up over the past 24 hours.

The city is worried about moderate to severe flooding. The water is coming up to the inlet parking lot -- and all inlet parking lots are closed.

The rain is really unbearable and the surf itself is indescribable, Ritter reports.

A tidal surge was out about three feet Thursday is expected to get up to about six feet Friday.

The mayor said the flooding Ocean City is seeing in the inlet parking lot is going to be very similar to that of Superstorm Sandy.

"We do have some concerns about the flooding; and it's moderate to severe flooding," OCMD Mayor Rick Meehan said. "It was mentioned 'how does this relate to Hurricane Sandy?' and it could be very similar. One difference is that it could be for a longer period of time. We're facing the first storm right now"

"We don't want anyone to have the misconception that this has the effects from Hurricane Joaquin because this is not. This is a storm, this will pass, then we will receive the effects [of Joaquin]," Meehan added. "If you look out there now the waves around the downtown area are up to the seawall. There going to be up to the dunes. We're going to received some beach erosion along the dune front. It is not a place to be. So the beach is officially closed until further notice."

One man could be seen walking through the floods, but officials are warning against that although some are trying to see it for themselves.

Winds and the surf are really picking up in Ocean City and it's hard to imagine what would happen if Joaquin came through after this.

The mayor said they have not talked about evacuations, but they are expecting moderate to severe flooding in Ocean City though Monday.