Despite Sandy evacuation orders, some ready to tough it out

(CBS News) OCEAN CITY, Md. - The mayor of Ocean City ordered a mandatory evacuation of the low-lying southern portion of a coastal Maryland island Sunday in anticipation of Hurricane Sandy, and most people are listening.

The center of the hurricane is still far out at sea, but her awesome power is already being felt on the fragile barrier island on the Maryland coast.

Hurricane Sandy: Full Coverage
Hurricane Sandy storm tracker and forecast maps

Thousands of vacationers and residents are fleeing.

"We're heading home, away from the hurricane," said one woman carrying boxes.

Mayor Rick Meehan said last year Ocean City got lucky, for the most part dodging Hurricane Irene.

Meehan said he doesn't expect the city to get so lucky this time around.

"I think we're probably already further along with this storm than we were with Irene," he said. "The ocean is angry right now and we're going to see a storm surge."

It is a surge that could raise sea levels 8 feet above normal, enough to flood much of the city.

Police are urging, but not forcing, people in the evacuation zone to leave.

Most are heeding their advice -- the boardwalk is all but abandoned.

But some, like surfer Brian Dean, have decided to stay.

"We've got everything pretty well situated, bunkered down, generators, [we'll] hang out, ride it out. We rode out Irene last year, it wasn't that bad," he said.

But the experts say this storm could be much worse than Irene, even in Maryland and further up the coast in New Jersey.

[abby1996]

my grandpa was not able to leave his house last night and he is currently stuck in hurricane sandy at this moment. i'm in pennsylvania (where i live) and he is right next to the park and ride and the marine (where he lives) there is nothing i can do about him being stuck in it. its a terrible feeling and i hope and pray that sandy will not hurt my poppop. its too late now by the looks of it though. please be safe poppop, i love you so much and so does sissy!

[CallMeT]

I pray that your grandpa will be ok. In the future, you may want to make sure that he is aware that people with special needs requiring shelter or assistance should contact the Worcester County Health Department at 410-632-1100 and then press 8.

[destruk3]

Someone needs to stay behind to loot the stores and finally get that 80" color tv set!

[cattiej]

We lived thru Hurricane Ivan came to call in Sept 2004...We left as ordered...anyone who stays thru this is crazy...Some of the people who didnt' leave died...they were washed out to the Gulf and their bodies were never found. Enough said..Remember, don't call 911 for help because they won't come and get you because it will be too late. So, I would suggest to those who are staying, make sure that your family know you are going to die and that they don't need to have a funeral because chances are your body will never be found. We will just put your name to the top of the Stupid People list.