HOOPERS ISLAND, MD - Like the ebb and flow of the tide, concerns linger in Dorchester County, particularly for residents in places like Hoopers Island, where persistent flooding remains a critical issue.
On a seemingly picturesque day on Hoopers Island, characterized by blue skies, scattered clouds, and some gusts of wind, the the aftermath of flooding was still evident. Hoopers Island Road, just past the Hoosier United Methodist Church, was the first sign of inundation. Local residents reported that the situation worsens as you drive down the road.
Only larger, elevated trucks dared to navigate through the submerged Hoopers Island Road. Hoopersville resident Al Defeo shared his observations, stating, "If you go further down, it gets worse. Historically, I know Hoopersville is completely underwater."
Defeo, a resident of Hoopersville, found himself having to turn back around. "I was trying to get back home, which is over the causeway over Ferry's Narrow Bridge, but you can't go that direction at all. The county has that blocked off. They told me over 100 feet of guardrail washed onto the road last night at some point and they're down there at least trying to get it out of the road and repair it," Defeo explained.
For the limited area accessible for WBOC, what was seen were homes and yards submerged in water, including the marina just before entering Hoopers Island.
Jeff Balcar, a Hoopers Island resident, expressed his anticipation of the challenges ahead, saying, "For the next two nights, we're supposed to have abnormally high tides. It's a good thing the moon is the little sliver that it is, so it's not affecting it as much, but I think we're all bracing for another round of about two feet above normal here."
Blacar added, "I'm still a little apprehensive to breath real easy to see what happens again tonight." He went on to say, "Well they say we live on a sinking island so, yeah its kind of expected and we brace for the worst and hope for the best."
Confirming the severity of the situation, the Dorchester County Council President Lenny Pfeffer stated that the Hoopers Island Causeway was closed until Wednesday afternoon, but it did reopen by late afternoon. However, it was revealed that 3000 feet of guardrail had been destroyed. Pfeffer says it was removed to a remote location and they will work towards replacing the damaged guardrail.