A state of emergency was declared in Maryland on Sunday as “catastrophic” flash floods and dramatic water rescues unfolded in and around Ellicott City amid heavy rains.
Gov. Larry Hogan announced the state of emergency on Twitter, and noted he directed the state’s emergency management agency “to assist in any compacity possible.”
The areas of Ellicott City and Catonsville, outside Baltimore, were experiencing “catastrophic flash flooding,” with another forecasted surge of water “imminent,” according to the National Weather Service.
Videos and photos posted to social media and shared with Fox 5 showed the city’s Main Street — the same street devastated by flash flooding in July 2016 — inundated with severe floods as water rushed through the area. Floodwaters surged around cars and pickup trucks. The Howard County Fire & EMS agency tweeted that water was above the first floor of some buildings.
State emergency officials warn that those in the Ellicott City area remains indoors and stay off the roads until the storm passes, and said to refrain from standing around the area to watch rescues.
This is a second video from my sister on #EllicotCity Main Street. This is as high, if not higher than 2 years ago. She is safe for now, no idea if everyone made it out of the 1st floors. @WJZDevin @wjz @FOXBaltimore @CairnsKcairns @wbaltv11 @weatherchannel: video via Kali Harris pic.twitter.com/KOQUH0aBwp
— Jeremy Harris (@JeremyHarrisTV) May 27, 2018
In case it’s not clear yet, stay away from Main Street. Please. pic.twitter.com/FO1HFpYqMo
— Libby Solomon (@libsolomon) May 27, 2018
Water is back up, and more rain coming our way. pic.twitter.com/RCMjcIkPFn
— Libby Solomon (@libsolomon) May 27, 2018
“DO NOT stand and watch the water rescues – leave the area and do not put yourself in harms way,” the Maryland Emergency Management Agency tweeted. “The teams are already out there helping others. PLEASE DO NOT be their next recovery they will have to make today.”
Main Street #EllicottCity flooding. pic.twitter.com/crYP74go08
— Libby Solomon (@libsolomon) May 27, 2018
DO NOT stand and watch the water rescues – leave the area and do not put yourself in harms way. The teams are already out there helping others. PLEASE DO NOT be their next recovery they will have to make today. https://t.co/WXnp64URIo
— Maryland Emergency Management Agency (MDMEMA) (@MDMEMA) May 27, 2018
Water keeps rising, this is like 6 feet atleast. I really hope no one is on ground level rn. pic.twitter.com/EkFzoz9Lfv
— Max Robinson (@DieRobinsonDie) May 27, 2018
Major flooding in Ellicott City; State of Emergency declared >> https://t.co/kUvSvKBNoO pic.twitter.com/OwaLbxcmws
— WBAL Baltimore News (@wbaltv11) May 27, 2018
(AP)
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