Storms & Weather
Where Nature Shaped a city
For generations, Ocean City has faced the power of the Atlantic Ocean. Hurricanes, nor'easters, blizzards, tidal flooding, and coastal storms have repeatedly reshaped the island, damaging homes, businesses, boardwalks, bridges, and beaches. Yet after every storm, the community rebuilt.
This collection documents more than a century of Ocean City's weather history through original photographs, historic slides, newspaper images, aerial photography, and modern drone imagery. From the devastating 1944 Hurricane and the Ash Wednesday Storm of 1962 to the Blizzard of 1978 and more recent coastal storms, these images preserve moments that helped define the city's history.
Whether you're researching a specific storm, remembering a place that no longer exists, or simply fascinated by the power of nature, these photographs provide a unique window into Ocean City's past.
Explore the storms below and discover how each event changed the island forever.
1944 Great Atlantic Hurricane
Then & Now
Date: September 14, 1944
Storm Type: Category 2 Hurricane (at New Jersey landfall)
Peak Winds: Approximately 90–100 mph in the region
Greatest Impact: Boardwalk, beaches, homes, flooding, and coastal infrastructure
On September 14, 1944, one of the most destructive hurricanes in Ocean City's history struck the New Jersey coast. Powerful winds, massive waves, and a record storm surge flooded streets, destroyed homes, damaged the Boardwalk, and severely impacted the city's beaches and infrastructure.
The storm reshaped large sections of the island and served as a turning point in coastal engineering and storm preparedness. Despite the widespread destruction, Ocean City's residents immediately began rebuilding, demonstrating the resilience that has defined the community for generations.
Explore this collection of historic photographs documenting the devastation, recovery, and lasting impact of the 1944 Hurricane on Ocean City, New Jersey. Click Here
1962 Ash Wednesday Storm
Date: March 6–8, 1962
Storm Type: Powerful Nor'easter
Duration: Approximately 72 hours
Major Impacts: Severe flooding, beach erosion, Boardwalk damage, destroyed homes and businesses
Legacy: Changed coastal engineering and beach protection efforts along the Jersey Shore
The Ash Wednesday Storm of March 6–8, 1962, was one of the most devastating nor'easters ever to strike the Mid-Atlantic coast. Unlike a hurricane that passes in a matter of hours, this powerful coastal storm battered Ocean City for three days with relentless northeast winds, high tides, and pounding surf.
Massive waves destroyed homes, businesses, and sections of the Boardwalk while severe beach erosion reshaped the island's coastline. Entire neighborhoods were flooded, and many oceanfront structures were left damaged beyond repair. The storm became a defining moment in Ocean City's history and led to major changes in coastal protection and beach management.
This collection documents the destruction, recovery, and resilience of Ocean City through historic photographs captured during and after one of the city's most unforgettable storms.
Explore the photographs that tell the story of the Ash Wednesday Storm and its lasting impact on Ocean City, New Jersey. Click here
History doesn't end when the photograph is taken.
Using original historic photographs alongside modern ground and drone images captured from the same locations, these comparisons reveal how Ocean City has changed over time. See the lasting effects of storms, rebuilding efforts, and more than a century of growth through side-by-side views that connect the past with the present.
Compare yesterday with today and experience Ocean City's history from a whole new perspective.