Ellicott City Flood: Rescuers Searching Buildings Monday, Two Dead

ELLICOTT CITY, MD — Cleanup Monday from a fatal flood in Ellicott City will include rescuers and local authorities going through downtown buildings, as crews work to clear streets and sidewalks that saw dramatic water rescues Saturday night. On the shores of the Patapsco River, trucks will be pulling 20 vehicles from the water after towing away more than 180 vehicles across the downtown district Sunday.

Two people died in the flash flood that dropped 6.5 inches of rain Saturday night in a matter of hours and sent the Patapsco River waters rushing down Main Street.

"We made significant progress overnight in the Ellicott City cleanup," Howard County government officials reported Monday morning.

• Maryland Governor Declares Howard County in State of Emergency
• Ellicott City Flood Damage by the Numbers
• Police Identify 2 People Killed in Ellicott City Flood

Gov. Larry Hogan declared a state of emergency Sunday, which remains in effect.

Main Street remains closed to pedestrian and vehicular traffic due to safety concerns.

The following roads are closed Monday morning, according to the Howard County Department of Fire and Rescue Services:

• Main Street
• Church Road at Main Street
• Fels Lane at Ellicott Mills
• Merryman Street at Court Avenue
• Old Columbia at Brittany
• Old Columbia Road at Main
• Harriet Tubman
• Lightning View and Thunder Hill
• Sheppard Lane
• Burgess Mill at Ellicott Mills
• St. Paul at College Avenue
• Rogers at Main

Fire and rescue crews will be conducting secondary searches of buildings downtown on Monday, and the approximately 20 vehicles that remain in the Patapsco River will be removed. There are two vehicles being pulled from the Tiber-Hudson as well behind parking lot D, officials report.

More than 180 vehicles were towed in the past day from downtown Ellicott City to Centennial High School. The county is expected to provide instructions for owners on Monday to claim them.

Many vehicles were rendered inoperable when the river flooded its banks Saturday evening, lifting some vehicles off streets and sending them into trees or buildings.

"It could be a longer-term recovery," Chas Eby, MEMA spokesperson, told Fox 45 Monday morning. "It's unclear how long it's going to take," he said, explaining that officials are currently conducting assessments.

Main Street is closed between Rogers Avenue and the Patapsco River.

Approximately 20 Maryland state troopers assisted local police overnight to secure the area around Main Street, county officials reported Monday morning. The Howard County Police Department says one theft has been reported from a restaurant, a crime that is currently under investigation.

The Howard County Bureau of Highways delivered 70-plus truckloads of stone to help shore up the area around St. Luke African Methodist Church on Main Street at Ellicott Mills Drive, where significant erosion was visible.

The Roger Carter Community Center will be open for those who need to shower, use bathrooms and charge their devices.

The American Red Cross Disaster Team is operating in the area, providing meals and water for first responders.

There will be an informational meeting for those seeking assistance in the aftermath of the storm at the Ellicott City 50+ Center, 9401 Frederick Road Ellicott City, MD. The meeting will be from 4:30 to 8 p.m.

Those impacted by the storm may contact the Howard County Resident Information Line at 410-313-2900.

Pictured, members of the Howard County Department of Fire and Rescue Services salvaged an American flag tangled in debris on the floor of a store in Ellicott City. Photo Credit: Howard County Government.