Following the deadly flooding in Ellicott City over the weekend, officials have received numerous offers to help.
Howard County Executive Allan Kittleman said Monday afternoon the United Way of Central Maryland has established a fund called ECStrong for donations for victims affected by Saturday night's flooding.
To contribute, text ECStrong to 51555 or click here.
Since its launch, the fund has raised more than $20,000, thanks to initial contributions by BB&T and United Way of $10,000 each, to kick off relief and recovery efforts, the United Way said.
Kittleman said The Ellicott City Partnership also established www.helpellicottcity.com to collect donations. Howard County government has also set up a page with information on assistance contacts.
“The outpouring of support for our community has been amazing,” Howard County Executive Allan Kittleman wrote on Facebook.
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Anne Arundel County has sent help to Howard County. An emergency planner from the Annapolis Emergency Operation Center is assisting with recovery efforts through Wednesday, the fourth person from Annapolis to be deployed to Howard County.
Kittleman said earlier Monday he is working with the American Red Cross Greater Chesapeake Region to establish a dedicated fund for cash donations.
The American Red Cross’ Disaster Action Team said recovery efforts from the flood, which claimed the lives of two people, could take days and potentially months.
The Red Cross’ Baltimore Emergency Response Vehicle is providing meals and cold water to first responders in the affected area, and the Red Cross is working with the county to provide recovery services.
Food donations are still needed. If you’d like to donate, the Community Action Council of Howard County is taking donations.
The CAC is taking donations daily from 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
Suggested donations include:
- High-protein canned meals with pop tops
- Breakfast, snack or energy bars
- Paper plates, napkins, plastic forks and spoons
- Toiletries
- Diapers
- Baby food products
- Water
- Can opener
The Community Foundation of Howard County has also established the Howard County Community Relief Fund. To donate, visit www.cfhoco.org and click the "Donate" tab, or mail a check payable to the Community Foundation of Howard County, noting Howard County Community Relief Fund on the memo line.
Several area businesses are also hosting fundraisers to benefit flood victims.
From 2-5 p.m. through Friday, Nacho Mama’s and Mama’s on the Half Shell in Canton will be donating 20 percent of all food and beverage purchased to flood relief.
Heavy Seas Brewery will be donating 50 percent of all revenue earned next weekend to the Ellicott City Partnership. You can make donations to the Ellicott City Partnership here.
Jailbreak Brewing Co. in Laurel is also donating 50 percent of its proceeds Thursday to charities assisting with recovery efforts.
Rossman-Hurt-Hoffman, Inc., an Ellicott City insurance firm, said it's received an "overwhelming" amount of donations of cleanup supplies and will be loading a truck for transport to a storage site near Main Street Tuesday night.
GoFundMe pages are also popping up for flood victims.
A GoFundMe page for Jason Barnes, who helped form a dramatic human chain to rescue a woman caught in the flood, has already helped to raise more than $11,000.
Barnes is the owner of All Time Toys, which sustained significant damage in the floods.
