Like something straight out of disaster film, the small town of Old Ellicott City, Maryland was essentially spent away by astonishing flash floods last Saturday night. Just on the other side of the Patapsco River from Baltimore County and also my hometown, the small historic part of Ellicott City has faced flooding in the past, but never before like this. Dubbed a “1,000-year-flood,” the National Weather Service declares that the possibility of a natural disaster of this scale is about 0.1%. Best estimates suspect that rain fell about 6 inches in 90 minutes or less, overflowing the riverbanks. Due to its picturesque location on the Patapsco River, and nestled in the valley, Old Ellicott City saw these immensely high waters rush down the small winding roads of Main Street, taking with them entire blocks of sidewalk, shop fronts, entire inventories, and most cars in town. The flash flood was more than unexpected, giving the busy town and shops very little notice for evacuation. Luckily, the town boasts more than a few good Samaritans, some of whom can be seen in the video below helping to rescue a woman from a flooded car.
The devastating storm tore the city apart, taking the lives of two people and injuring many others. First responders and countless volunteers have been working tirelessly since the flood, but in such extreme circumstances, very little preventative measures were possible. It wasn’t until almost a week later that residents and business owners were allowed access to their homes and shops to collect their belongings and assess the damage. Following this, the Baltimore Sun published this photo, along with others, showing just how hard this disaster is affecting the residents of Ellicott City.
Luckily, the town of Old Ellicott City is a beloved landmark of Howard County and home to a supportive, close-knit community. As soon as they could, shop owners and residents, families and friends banded together to start work on putting the beloved city back together. Efforts include offering food and drinks to first responders and subsequent workers, a county-wide job fair for the newly unemployed of the town, county schools and organizations putting together fundraisers, local restaurants and markets reaching out and offering everything they can to those who have nowhere to turn, and construction crews and county executives working around the clock. Though there is undoubtedly a long and arduous road ahead, progress is already well underway and even those who have lost everything are still trying to keep their chins up. Like a beacon of hope, the landmark clock tower that was swept away in the flood has been restored to its sentinel post in front of the B.O. Railroad Museum at the heart of Old Ellicott City, serving as a reminder to everyone what charm the city holds.
The quaint little historic town holds so much spirit and remains a somber reminder that We Are Ellicott City Strong. It’s important to remember that this is a town built on history and small businesses, riding on the backs of community and not corporations. Some of these shop owners and residents have lost their entire lives in this flood, but as they wipe away tears, they refuse to let it dampen their spirits. With help from such a strong supportive community, Ellicott City will rebuild and be restored to its former glory, without losing sight of everything we overcame along the way. To contribute to restoration efforts, please see the following links.
#ECStrong
Community Action Council of Howard County
United Way of Central Maryland
