Annapolis City Dock Businesses Prepare for Nor’easter Flooding
- Businesses along the Annapolis City Dock are deploying sandbags, custom wooden barriers, and automatic pumps to brace for potential Nor'easter flooding.
- Store owners along the waterfront are relying on municipal supplies and custom engineering to keep rising water out of their shops.
- The current flood threat coincides with ongoing construction for the City Dock Project, an infrastructure initiative designed to reduce future flooding in the area.
Businesses along the Annapolis City Dock are deploying sandbags, custom wooden barriers, and automatic pumps to brace for potential Nor’easter flooding. The storm threat arrives while long-term construction on the City Dock Project continues to divide local merchants over its impact on downtown foot traffic.
Defensive Measures at Annapolis City Dock
Store owners along the waterfront are relying on municipal supplies and custom engineering to keep rising water out of their shops. Sveinn Storm, owner of Storm Brothers Ice Cream, built a waterproof wood barrier featuring a rubber seal around the perimeter that he fastens into his doorway during high water. Storm has operated his business at the dock for 50 years. Other merchants have set up automated mitigation systems ahead of the storm surge. Ryan Lamy, owner and manager of Pip’s Dock Street Dogs, stated that his shop utilizes two automatic pumps near the front door that activate upon sensing water and push it out through hoses running out the back of the building. Samantha Wilkerson, owner of the Annapolis Marine Art Gallery, has placed sandbags outside and uses an early-morning security camera feed alongside an alarm set for 4 or 5 a.m. to monitor high tide conditions. City of Annapolis officials are actively monitoring Sunday evening for peak water levels, with the Office of Emergency Management issuing alerts regarding possible flooding. Residents can sign up for condition updates directly through the Annapolis Office of Emergency Management webpage.
Impact of the City Dock Project
The current flood threat coincides with ongoing construction for the City Dock Project, an infrastructure initiative designed to reduce future flooding in the area. Local business owners express sharply divergent views on the project’s financial toll and ultimate value. Lamy voiced support for the overhaul, stating that the whole project is going to be a huge draw for downtown. Conversely, other merchants report severe financial harm resulting from the construction disruptions. Storm added that three businesses at the dock have closed due to the construction impacts. The City Dock Park and new visitor center are scheduled for completion by July 2027, with the second phase slated to finish in 2028.