Lobsters on the lam? No, Cape May crustaceans didn’t pull off a great nor’easter escape
A widely shared video during the nor'easter showed a dining room at the Lobster House in Cape May. Then Internet jokesters enhanced the video, adding three lobsters swimming out to sea.
As the tidewaters spread across the Shore during this weekend’s nor’easter, so did the viral videos and photos online.
One widely shared video showed a waterlogged dining room at the famous Lobster House in Cape May. Then Internet jokesters enhanced the video, adding three lobsters serenely swimming out to sea.
@onebadshark Be Careful If You’re In The Area Of Schellengers Landing Rd, In Cape May, NJ! The Lobsters Have Escaped From The Lobster House! #capemay #newjersey #lobster #house #flood ♬ Hymn to the Sea (Rose's Theme) - Amy Wallace & Reyjuliand
On Sunday, people drove up to the iconic seafood restaurant and market — closed due to flooding — to witness any evidence of the lobster jailbreak.
“We’ve had people in Florida and Virginia ask us about it,” Cape May resident Gary Bartlett said of the videos.
His wife Tracy Bartlett said people are interested in the Lobster House because it is such a popular destination.
“It’s been around forever,” she said. “My parents came here in the ’40s.”
@jerseyshoremode Every table set and waiting at The Lobster House in Cape May, which tells you how the night is about to go. via @61580720955840 #jerseyshoremode #jerseyshore #njbeaches #downtheshore #visitnj ♬ original sound - Jersey Shore Mode
Keith Laudeman, the third-generation owner of the Lobster House, explained that for three days, the water level outside the restaurant inched up — the result of relentless northeast winds holding seawater in the inlet.
Saturday morning’s high tide was the “icing on the cake” that sent floodwaters pouring through the front door.
Laudeman dealt with flooding after Superstorm Sandy in 2012 and Storm Jonas in 2016. He said his team will have to wash everything with freshwater, scrub it down with antimicrobial soap, and replace carpeting.
He hopes to have the restaurant open within three days, and plans for the fish market and coffee shop to be open Monday.
As for the lobsters escaping to sea, Laudeman said anything is possible.
“That’s a little far-fetched,” he said. “But if it adds to the story, then go ahead.”
