Story Created:
Aug 25, 2011 at 6:37 PM EDT
Story Updated:
Aug 25, 2011 at 6:37 PM EDT
Ocean City officials have ordered thousands of residents and visitors to evacuate the Maryland beachfront community, and the state's governor has declared a state of emergency as Hurricane Irene approaches.
OCEAN CITY, Md. (AP) - Ocean City officials have ordered thousands of residents and visitors to evacuate the Maryland beachfront community, and the state's governor has declared a state of emergency as Hurricane Irene approaches.
Mayor Rick Meehan says phase three of the hurricane action plan goes into effect at midnight. Anyone other than emergency personnel is ordered to leave.
Meehan says there are probably about 125,000 to 150,000 people in Ocean City. He said officials had already been urging visitors to head home, but now they are telling the 7,000 or so residents in town to seek shelter elsewhere.
Meehan is also banning the sale of alcohol and requests that all businesses close by midnight.
No vehicles except emergency vehicles and those approved by the mayor, city manager or emergency services director will be permitted entry.
www.ocmdemergency.com
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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