Downtown Annapolis sees record flooding, new barriers serve as temporary defense

BALTIMORE - Heavy rain and whipping winds ripped through the heart of Annapolis on Tuesday, bringing record flooding with it. 

The storm flooded City Dock and forced road closures as water rose up past the seawall. Some people swapped out their cars for kayaks while others walked through the floodwaters.

"The water is way up past the seawall, almost into the road," said Annapolis resident Kelsi Furman. "Kind of alarming to see, I didn't realize how crazy it gets."

Throughout the day, the water slowly crept in.

Annapolis Mayor Gavin Buckley told WJZ's Alexus Davila on Wednesday morning that the flooding depth, five feet, was the third worst the city has seen and the worst in his six-year tenure. 

Buckley said the damage sustained is "pretty bad," but it wasn't immediately clear where damages occurred. 

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.

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, 'Tubebarrier,' 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.