Historic Ellicott City changed from an enchanting town into a horrifying flood scene in a matter of moments as heavy rains created rushing floodwaters several feet high on July 30.
The currents were strong enough to move vehicles like they were Matchbox cars, carry off street signs, and trap pedestrians who were enjoying a Saturday night out in the Howard County, Md., neighborhood.
Main Street and nearby thoroughfares are lined with picturesque boutiques, restaurants and art galleries, attracting locals and tourists alike, many of whom rushed to help rescue pedestrians and drivers caught up in the fast-moving waters.
|6 inches of rain in less than 2 hours
As six inches of rain fell in under two hours, water levels on the street rose so quickly that patrons in local restaurants reported having to move to higher floors in order to escape the flooding, which was as high as some of the awnings for the businesses. Ellicott City has flooded before and a high water mark on Main Street shows flood levels of 14.5 feet from Hurricane Agnes in 1972.
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Patricia L. Harman
Patricia L. Harman is the editor-in-chief of Claims magazine, a contributing editor to PropertyCasualty360.com, and chairs the annual America's Claims Event (ACE), which focuses on providing claims professionals with cutting-edge education and networking opportunities. She covers auto, property & casualty, workers' compensation, fraud, risk and cybersecurity, and is a frequent speaker at insurance industry events. Contact her at [email protected]
