Police Update Number Of Missing Victims In Harford Flash Flood

BEL AIR, MD — As the investigation into those swept up in Harford County's flood continues, police updated the number of victims involved. A man who had been driving a vehicle has been located deceased, and a woman who tried to help him is missing, officials reported before 3 p.m. Saturday.

Initially, police thought there were two people in the sedan that washed away, but interviews with witnesses and the driver's next of kin led authorities to believe the man was alone in the vehicle.

UPDATE: Victim IDed In Harford Flood, Search Underway 1 More Victim

Rescue crews were initially called to James Run Road at Calvary Road around 6 p.m. on Friday, according to Maryland State Police.

A vehicle had become disabled on a bridge in the area because of high water, and when a truck pulled up and the woman inside got out to try to help, she was swept off the bridge by the swift water, police reported.
Then officials said the disabled vehicle also got carried away.

Daniel Samis, 67, of Abingdon, was found deceased on Saturday morning, officials reported. He had been in a sedan that got carried by the flood waters, according to investigators.

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan said Saturday morning that he and First Lady Yumi Hogan were praying for the people who were missing, and the state "continues to offer any support necessary" to Harford County.

RELATED: At Least 25 Water Rescues In Harford County Reported During Storm

After the people and vehicle disappeared in the flood waters Friday night, the driver of the truck that had stopped to help went to a nearby quarry to search for the victims and alerted first responders, police reported.

Late Friday evening a vehicle was found about a quarter-mile from where the vehicle was swept away, but police said high water conditions prevented officials from confirming whether it was the same vehicle and if anyone was inside.

Maryland State Police officials said they concluded search efforts at 11 p.m. Friday and were resuming the search at 7 a.m. Saturday.

Police said that Samis was located deceased around 8:30 a.m. Saturday a quarter of a mile away from the Broad Run Bridge. Technical rescue teams assisted in the recovery of his body, officials reported.

As of 1 p.m. on Saturday, Maryland State Police told Patch that crews were "still searching" on location. It was not available how many victims they were still searching for, according to officials. By 3 p.m., police said there was one outstanding victim, the woman who was described as a "female good Samaritan." She is not being publicly identified until next-of-kin notification has been made, according to officials.

There were multiple close calls on roads around the state Friday as heavy downpours drenched Maryland. Harford County had received 25 swift water rescue calls by 9 p.m. Friday, according to Rich Gardiner, spokesman for the Harford County Volunteer Fire and EMS Association.

Swift water rescue teams from Anne Arundel, Howard and Carroll counties as well as Baltimore City and Chester County, Pennsylvania, have been requested to assist Harford County crews, Gardiner said.

Officials warn that flash floods can occur suddenly when there is excessive rainfall.

"Following the simple advice of 'Turn Around, Don’t Drown,' could save lives during flash flooding conditions," Maryland State Police advised.

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