ELLICOTT CITY, Md. — Downpours pummeled areas in the WMAR-2 News viewing area, and a Flash Flood Warning was issued for historic Ellicott City, where two massive floods destroyed the downtown and caused one death.
Howard County Executive Calvin Ball said at a press conference today:
The rate of rainfall was very similar to the rate of rainfall we experienced at some points during the 2018 flood, when the town saw 1.44 inches of rain in approximately 15 minutes.
Fortunately, no one was hurt and there was no significant property damage.
Ball said there were 2.3 inches of rainfall, mostly within one hour. Water reached the curb level at the lower end of Main Street during the height of the storm, and about 6 inches of moving water.
A Flash Flood Warning is in effect for historic Ellicott City. Main Street has been shut down. People in historic Ellicott City should move to high ground.
— Howard County Gov't (@HoCoGov) June 9, 2022
Main Street was temporarily shut down Wednesday evening and people in Ellicott City were told to move to higher ground.
MORE: Preparing for the worst in Ellicott City
I am very glad that @HoCoGovExec has put early warning systems in place in Ellicott City. The sirens sounded, the communications went perfectly, and the newly constructed channels did their job containing water. The town is safer than it was four years ago with more to come.
— Courtney Watson (@courtneywatson1) June 9, 2022
With the Tiber River flowing through the historic downtown area in the past, officials are preparing for any and all repercussions for heavy rainfall.
Major floods occurred in 1786, 1817, 1868, 1894, 1901, 1917, 1923, 1933, 1952, 1972, 1975, 1998, 2006, 2011, 2016, and 2018.
Howard County Police Department said there were flooding and trees down in the Columbia, Ellicott City and Elkridge areas.
