Heavy Rain Causes Road Closures, O'Malley Declares State of Emergency

Gov. Martin O'Malley declared a State of Emergency Thursday due to heavy rains that have closed roads and threaten to cause moderate to heavy flooding.

“I have ordered state emergency personnel and resources to be available statewide as we safeguard Maryland against the effects of this heavy rain," O'Malley said in a statement. 

County officials also reported on issues caused by the rain fall. 

David Fidler, spokesman for the Baltimore County Department of Public Works, warns of some road closures. 

"In the Towson area, we have Circle Road, Cromwell Bridge and Ruxton Road with closures ... and then there's Glen Arm and Notch Cliff Road to the north. Public Works is also seeing  some wires down and a few fallen trees reported in the southwest County. Highways crews will work this evening until the storm stops and things have been put right."

 Tim Burgess, chief of the county Bureau of Highways, said minor flooding has been reported in "isolated areas." Drivers are urged to be cautious in "low-lying areas" susceptible to flooding.  

Some flooding also was reported in Perry Hall, White Marsh and Kingsville, Perry Hall Patch reports.

Patch Editor Bryan Sears contributed to this report.