For the second time in two years, Ellicott City, Md. experienced massive destruction of its downtown after heavy flash flooding tore through the area on Sunday, May 27. One fatality has been reported. Eddison Alexander Hermond, a resident of nearby Severn and an active duty member of the Army National Guard, died after jumping into the rushing waters on Main Street in attempt to save a woman. He was 39. The National Weather Service reported 9.5 inches of rain fell in the area over the span of 24 hours. As of May 29, 280 gas outages had been reported, along with approximately 350 electrical outages according to MyBGE. Patapsco River flows through the town and was a major source of the flooding, as the river rose 17.8 feet in two hours on Sunday afternoon to 24.13 feet, a new record from the previous high of 23.6 feet, according to county officials. Related: 9 vital homeowner maintenance tips to prevent costly damage & losses |

Déjà vu: Will it happen again?

After two once-in-a-1,000-year floods in the span of 22 months, the question has been asked: Does Ellicott City rebuild again? For many life-long residents, the answer is an obvious yes. But for others, rebuilding for a second time may not be an option. "It really is hard for us to be down here a second time, seeing the same thing over again, it brought back that déjà vu feeling experiencing the same thing we did 22 months ago," Lt. Jeff Carl, Howard County Fire & Rescue said in a press briefing. Howard County Executive Allan Kittleman said he considers the damage to be worse than the 2016's devastating flood event that claimed two lives and created roughly $22 million in damages. Residents and business owners have tough choices to make in the months ahead, and many shop owners are directing their anger at Howard County officials who they say didn't do enough to make sure there wasn't a repeat of the 2016 disaster. But the town is geographically prone to flooding. Ellicott City has flooded 15 times since 1768 at the hand of storms. What makes this historic Maryland town so prone to these events is that it sits directly in a valley where two creeks converge with a river, so with heavy rainfall comes flash flooding. These conditions paired with the increasing velocity and occurrence of extreme weather events caused by climate change makes Ellicott City an increasingly at-risk area. Related: 6 tips to protect your home and property for 2018's hurricane season |

Flood preparation tips

As Subtropical Storm Alberto brings heavy rain to the East Coast, the Property Casualty Insurers Association of America (PCI) is encouraging residents in affected areas to look out for directions from officials and prepare for possible flooding. "Torrential downpours can produce dangerous flooding, so if your home is near water or in a low-lying area, make sure you are prepared to seek higher ground," Nancy Egan, PCI's regional manager, said in a statement. Egan says PCI encourages policyholders to take photos and videos of damaged items, and save your receipts to help with the claims process. "With hurricane season just weeks away, it's important to start thinking about taking steps to prepare your property, which could save you time and money in the recovery process," she adds. PCI offers the following tips to prepare your property for a flood: |

• Review your property insurance policy, especially the "declarations" page, and check whether your policy pays replacement costs, or actual cash value for a covered loss.
• Inventory your household items, and photograph or videotape them for further documentation. Keep this information and your insurance policies in a safe place.
• Keep the name, address and claims-reporting telephone number of your insurer and agent in a safe and easily accessible place.
• Protect your property by covering all windows with plywood or shutters, moving vehicles into the garage when possible and placing grills and patio furniture indoors.
• Keep all receipts for any repairs so your insurance company can reimburse you.
• Check with your insurance adjuster for referrals to professional restoration, cleaning and salvage companies if additional assistance is needed.

As residents and business owners begin to assess the damage, resources are available for flood victims to utilize. The Federal Emergency Management Agency can be contacted at 800-621-3362 or www.fema.gov and consumers who have flood insurance policies through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) can contact either their flood insurance agent or the NFIP itself at (888) 379-9531 or www.floodsmart.gov. Related: 4 ways for businesses to prepare for another active hurricane season