Howard County officials provide update on the condition of Ellicott City after two were people killed in flooding that washed up Main Street, destroying businesses and over 170 vehicles, on June 30 when approximately six inches of rain (a month’s worth) fell in two hours.
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via WBAL:
Baltimore County police and fire were called at 2:20 a.m. Sunday to River Road at the Howard County line for a body that was found in the water near the bank of the Patapsco River. The victim was identified as Jessica Watsula, 35, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania.
Authorities said Watsula was with relatives in a car in the 8100 block of Main Street when the storm hit. They said the vehicle was swept away by water and everyone but Watsula was able to get out. Watsula was swept away and eventually found about 200 yards from the Ilchester Bridge.
Baltimore County police were called at 8:48 a.m. Sunday to Ilchester Road at the Howard County line, where a person walking along a trail found a man’s body. The victim was pronounced dead by a Baltimore County paramedic at 9:05 a.m. He was identified as Joseph Anthony Blevins, 38, of Windsor Mill.
Police said Blevins was in Ellicott City with his girlfriend Saturday evening. Their vehicle was swept away in the flash flood with them inside. The girlfriend was able to get out and was rescued. Blevins was swept away.
Howard County officials earlier Sunday said as many as 14-16 people were missing after the flooding, but Howard County spokesperson Mark Miller said around 12:50 p.m. that no one was missing.
The area is currently under state of emergency.
Disabled vehicles will be towed to Centennial High School at no charge to owners and the county will let residents know when they can begin to retrieve their vehicles, most likely no sooner than Tuesday.
Many businesses were gutted by flood water. Crews were also working to clear downed power lines. A county building inspector said about 200 buildings on Main Street have been checked, and that as many as four to five buildings were destroyed and 20-30 buildings were damaged.
Maryland State Police Superintendent Col. William Pallozzi said officials are asking people to stay away from the Ellicott City area so crews can work on repairs and cleanup. More than 40 troopers are in Ellicott City to help county police provide security. No one is allowed in the Main Street area, including business owners and residents.
SOURCE: WBAL | PHOTO: Getty
Update on Howard County Flooding That Killed Two [VIDEO + PHOTOS] was originally published on wolbbaltimore.com
