Nor'easter Expected to Hit Ocean City Starting Wednesday

Exactly 51 years to the day since the legendary Storm of '62 pounded Ocean City, a nor'easter is expected to provide the island's first real test since Superstorm Sandy struck on Oct. 29, 2012.

Forecasters are calling for a coastal storm to bring heavy rain and strong northeast winds to Ocean City from Wednesday (March 6) into Thursday (March 7). A National Weather Service "Hazardous Weather Outlook" released on Sunday suggests wind gusts of 50 mph to possibly 60 mph are possible.

The Storm of '62 battered Ocean City from March 6 to 8 and left historic damage to the region.

While forecasters are not predicting another storm of that magnitude, this week's nor'easter could test temporary sand berms piled at various points on the island in the aftermath of Sandy, which devastated dune systems and eroded beaches.

"For now ... more concerned for possible coastal impact from wind, tidal flooding, waves/erosion than I am over impact from rain or wet snow," NBC40 meteorologist Dan Skeldon wrote in a Sunday update on his Facebook page.

He predicted onshore winds with gusts of 40 to more than 50 mph along the southern New Jersey and Delaware coastlines from later Wednesday into Thursday.

The National Weather Service forecast for the region calls for periods of heavy rain that may change into a heavy wet snow at times.

Moderate tidal flooding is possible at high tides that occur at 3:29 p.m. Wednesday and 4:05 a.m. Thursday on the bay side of Ocean City at the Ninth Street Bridge.

Residents in flood-prone areas should consider moving their vehicles to higher ground.

"A four-foot surge is possible even at low tide Wednesday evening, which would mean rather high water for the low tide," the National Weather Service warns.

Forecasters ask coastal residents to monitor the progress of the storm as it moves closer and predictions become more certain.