Physical Disaster Declaration Requested for Ellicott City

ELLICOTT CITY, MD — Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan requested federal assistance Tuesday to help Ellicott City business owners and residents recover from the July 30 flash flood that killed two and closed Main Street.

The governor asked the U.S. Small Business Administration to declare a physical disaster in Ellicott City, which would make citizens there eligible for low-interest loans.

"If approved, this disaster declaration will go a long way in providing access to the loans our citizens need to repair damages and continue the rebuilding process," Hogan said in a statement. “Ellicott City’s residents and businesses need as much help as they can get – from private citizens and all levels of government – as they begin to recover from this disastrous flood."

Howard County declared a state of emergency until after Labor Day that allows the county executive to close roads for public safety purposes and take other measures to facilitate cleanup from the storm that flooded businesses and homes when 6.5 inches of rain fell in a matter of hours.

Main Street is closed until Friday as contractors survey the structures there and may reopen for cleanup this weekend, county officials say.

• Main Street in Ellicott City to Close for Evaluation: County Executive
• Ellicott City Flood: Howard County Council Extends State of Emergency
• How to Help Ellicott City Flood Victims

If the governor's request is approved, citizens would be able to apply for Small Business Administration disaster loans to repair or replace real estate, personal property, machinery, equipment, inventory and other business assets that were damaged or destroyed in a declared disaster.

Howard County government has established a Disaster Assistance Center, open from 2-7 p.m. Monday, Aug. 8 to Wednesday, Aug. 10; and from 10 a.m.–3 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 11, and Friday, Aug. 12, at the Ellicott City 50+ Center, 9401 Frederick Road, Ellicott City, MD 21042. People may also call the resident assistance line at 410-313-2900 or visit Howard County's Ellicott City flood recovery resources page for support.

Photo Credit: Gov. Larry Hogan.