2024-01-10 04:16:00
BALTIMORE – Heavy rain and whipping winds ripped through the heart of Annapolis on Tuesday.
The storm flooded City Dock and forced road closures as water rose up past the seawall.
“The water is way up past the seawall, almost into the road,” said Annapolis resident Kelsi Furman.
Some people swapped out their cars for kayaks while others walked through the floodwaters.
“Kind of alarming to see,” Furman said. “I didn’t realize how crazy it gets.”
As expected – City Dock is completely flooded in Annapolis. Roads are blocked off, (most) restaurants & businesses are closed. Water is up past my ankles on the road @wjz pic.twitter.com/slLgXvEKUt
— Kelsey Kushner (@KelseyKushnerTV) January 10, 2024
Throughout the day, the water slowly crept in.
The water at City Dock is continuing to creep in slowly. A lot of people are worried about their morning commute, especially as high tide is set to happen by 3am @wjz pic.twitter.com/8XQlGUuRMz
— Kelsey Kushner (@KelseyKushnerTV) January 10, 2024
City leaders showed off a new temporary solution they brought back from across the pond.
[Maryland Weather: ALERT DAY on Tuesday for high-impact Maryland storm]
“Tonight, we’re going to experience a tide level of about 4.9 to 5.0 feet, which if we see that, it will end up being the third or fourth highest tide on record,” said Burr Vogel, Public Works Director in Annapolis.
Some people are bracing the elements at the City Dock in Annapolis. The water is up to their knees @wjz pic.twitter.com/b7oFRKTEMj
— Kelsey Kushner (@KelseyKushnerTV) January 10, 2024
Vogel kept a close eye on the city’s newest defense against a long-time burden.
“We’re looking at a new flood barrier that we’ve just installed this morning, received from a company called, ‘Two Barrier,’ and was represented by Dutch Water Prevention.”
Vogel says the barrier took about 15 minutes to install and should protect the flood-prone Compromise Street from one of the highest tides the city has seen since Hurricane Isabel in 2003.
“It’s got holes here on the front. The flood waters come in, fill this barrier, so that’s what will eventually hold it in place over the next four to five hours,” Vogel said. “This thing will fill up with water and form a barrier which will keep the street dry.”
It’s an innovative solution city leaders brought back from their recent trip to the Netherlands.
“We know that the Netherlands do lead the world in stopping water, moving water and protecting a city that is below sea level,” Annapolis Mayor Gavin Buckley said.
At the nearby Chesapeake Bay Bridge, temporary closures derailed plans for people trying to get home, leaving commuters stuck for more than three hours.
“I gotta get over the Bay Bridge,” said Matt Pizzico. “I really want to go home but it doesn’t seem possible.”
The Bay Bridge reopened around 8:45 p.m. with limited wind restrictions
Anne Arundel County Public School officials say they plan to open about two hours late on Wednesday.
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