Massive flooding in Ellicott City leaves man missing, again destroys businesses - Washingtonpost

The sudden and widespread flooding, which prompted a state of emergency declaration from Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan, was reminiscent of a similar storm in the summer of 2016 that left two people dead.

Once again, many storefronts and buildings up and down the historic downtown were severely damaged, including homes and businesses that had only recently recovered from the flooding two years ago.

Howard County officials said they received 1,100 911 calls between 4 p.m. and 10 p.m., and rescue crews assisted 300 people in getting out of “hazardous” structures. At least two dozen people were temporarily stranded by the flood, officials said at a Monday afternoon briefing, and there was a two-alarm fire, possibly caused by lightning.

It was the third major flood since 2011 in Ellicott City, which was founded in 1772 at the site of a grist mill along the banks of the Patapsco River. The enclave grew into a major milling and manufacturing town and, starting in 1830, was the terminus of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad line. 

Ellicott City was designated a national historic district in 1976, according to Preservation Maryland, with more than 200 buildings that dated to the 1800s or earlier. Its location in a valley, where the river converges with two major creeks, has made it particularly susceptible to flooding.

The National Weather Service on Sunday called the flooding an “extremely dangerous and potentially catastrophic situation.” The Howard County fire department warned people trapped on the Main Street to climb to the second floors of buildings as they awaited rescue. - Read More

Massive flooding in Ellicott City leaves man missing, again destroys businesses

Crews rescuing people as torrential floods hit Ellicott City