Howard County Under Flood Warning

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — The National Weather Service has issued a flood warning for several areas in central Maryland, including Howard County. The warning continues until 11:15 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 18.

At 5:17 p.m., the National Weather Service said that stream gauges indicated flooding on the Patapsco River at Elkridge, and other area streams may be flooding as well.

During a flood warning, flooding is imminent or occurring. Drivers should turn around if they come across flooded roads, and pedestrians should not attempt to walk through flood waters.

These locations are under the flood warning until 11:15 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 18:

• Anne Arundel County
• Baltimore City
• Baltimore County
• Howard County

Specifically, these spots may experience flooding, according to the warning: Elkridge, Catonsville, Arbutus, Brooklyn Park, Pumphrey, Ilchester, Linthicum, Lansdowne, Halethorpe and Linthicum Heights.

(PREVIOUS ALERT - EXPIRED) — A flash flood watch is in effect until 6 p.m. Tuesday for much of the region, including Howard County. According to unofficial data submitted to the National Weather Service, a good amount of rain fell overnight: By 2 a.m., Columbia had received reports of up to 2.37 inches of rain, while Elkridge had 1.28 inches and Ellicott City reported 0.9 inch of precipitation.

The flash flood watch calls for another round of scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms, with locally heavy rain that could lead to flash flooding. A flash flood watch means that there is the potential for flash flooding, which can be life-threatening. Heavy rain in a short time can lead to flash flooding, or a rapid rise in water level.

Creeks, streams and urban areas are particularly vulnerable to potential flooding, especially because the ground is already saturated.

Drivers and pedestrians should be cautious and if they see standing water of unknown depth, turn around; don't drown.

The following counties as well as Baltimore City are under the flash flood watch until 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 18:

• Anne Arundel
• Baltimore
• Harford
• Howard
• Montgomery
• Prince George's

REMEMBER #HoCoMD, come upon a flooded rd, #TurnAroundDontDrown. Takes just 6" of fast-moving flood H2O to knock over an adult, 12" rushing H2O to carry away a small car & 2' rushing H2O to carry away most vehicles. Tune to local news TV or radio station 4 updated forecasts. (2/2)
— Howard County Gov't (@HoCoGov) September 18, 2018

Be on the lookout for localized flooding. This is the intersection of River Road and Furnace Road near @PatapscoSP in Anne Arundel Co. Turn around. Don’t drown. Thanks for sharing, Officer Miller. pic.twitter.com/KCzb0xDipW
— Maryland NRP (@MDNRPolice) September 18, 2018

Photo via Shutterstock. Graphic via National Weather Service. Dark green shows areas under the flash flood watch, light green indicates areas under a flood warning and purple is the small craft advisory. A small craft advisory is in effect until noon Wednesday.