Island retreat

( Baltimore Sun photo by Karl Merton Ferron / August 26, 2011 )

Kelly Alexander leads his daughter Kansas Douglas, 15 and wife Donna Alexander down the steps of their 5th Street home, waiting for a friend to bring a pickup to take them and their belongings off the island as the island resort community retreats inland on the threat of Hurricane Irene. Ocean City officials have declared a local state of emergency, with entry to the island blocked since midnight and utilities are said to be slated for shutdown Saturday afternoon.