2018 Maryland flood
{{short description|Historic Main Street in Ellicott City, Maryland flooded}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2025}}
{{Infobox flood
|name=2018 Maryland flood
|image=
|caption=
|date=May 27, 2018
|total damages=“Building damage and cars washed away”
|total fatalities= 1{{cite news|url=http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/weather/bs-md-flood-casualty-20180529-story.html|title=National Guardsman's heroism in Ellicott City flood recalled as 'the most Eddie thing ever'|first1=Christina|last1=Tkacik|first2=Sarah|last2=Meehan|work=The Baltimore Sun|date=May 29, 2018}}
|areas affected= Maryland, United States
}}
{{OSM Location map
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File:Hydrograph of Patapsco River near Elkridge at Patapsco Valley State Park.png near Elkridge at Patapsco Valley State Park
{{Font color|white|violet|Purple}}: Major Flood Stage; {{Font color|white|orangered|Red}}: Moderate Flood Stage; {{Font color|white|orange|Orange}}: Flood Stage; {{Font color||yellow|Yellow}}: Action Stage;]]
In the afternoon of May 27, 2018, after over {{convert|8|in|cm}} of rain in a span of two hours, the historic Main Street in Ellicott City, Maryland was flooded,{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/capital-weather-gang/wp/2018/05/27/flash-flood-emergency-in-ellicott-city-md-as-thunderstorms-unload-excessive-rainfall/|title=A catastrophic flash flood event underway in Ellicott City — the second in two years|date=May 27, 2018|work=The Washington Post|first1=Jason|last1=Samenow|first2=Angela|last2=Fritz}} just before the new flood emergency alert system was supposed to become operational.{{Cite news|url=http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/howard/columbia/ph-ho-cf-stream-gauges-ellicott-city-0524-story.html|title=High-tech flood monitoring planned for Ellicott City watershed|last=Magill|first=Kate|work=Columbia Flier|access-date=May 27, 2018|date=May 21, 2018|language=en-US}}
{{cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2018/05/27/us/ellicott-city-maryland-flooding/index.html?no-st=1528286666|title=Flash floods again rip through Ellicott City, Maryland; 1 missing|date=May 27, 2018|first1=Emanuella|last1=Grinberg|first2=Janet|last2=DiGiacomo|work=CNN}} Flooding occurred throughout the Patapsco Valley, in the adjacent communities of Catonsville, Arbutus, and Elkridge, as well as the Jones Falls Valley in Baltimore.{{cite news|url=http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/weather/bs-md-ci-jones-falls-flooding-20180527-story.html|title=Flooding prompts rescues, evacuations throughout Baltimore region|first=Colin|last=Campbell|work=The Baltimore Sun|date=May 27, 2018}}
The flooding caused a significant amount of damage to Ellicott City, which had been severely damaged in another flood just two years earlier. The streets were covered in water, buildings collapsed, and cars were swept away. It also caused the death of National Guardsman Sgt. Eddison Hermond.{{Cite web|title=National Guardsman killed in Ellicott City flooding receives salute from fellow members of his unit|url=https://www.fox5dc.com/news/national-guardsman-killed-in-ellicott-city-flooding-receives-salute-from-fellow-members-of-his-unit|date=2018-05-30|website=FOX 5 DC|language=en-US|access-date=2020-05-06}}
Since the floods, the state and local governments have signed pieces of legislation to demolish some buildings in the historic district.
History and previous floods
Ellicott City was founded in 1772 and built along the Patapsco River. It is located about {{convert|10|mi}} west of Baltimore and at the site of the Tiber River, along with other connected tributaries,{{Cite book|title=American History|last=Richardson|first=Sarah|publisher=World History Group, LLC|year=2019|location=Tysons, VA|pages=10}} causing it to be vulnerable to severe flooding. In 1868 three casualties occurred during a flood.
Before the 2018 flood, Ellicott City was severely submerged during the 2016 Maryland flood on July 30, 2016. That flooding was considered an oddity, likely only occurring once in 1,000 years, and resulted in the deaths of two people and the destruction of six buildings.{{Cite news|title=Federal loan applications open for Ellicott City Governor announces availability for victims of last month's flood Maryland Public TV film to showcase Ellicott City Leadership Essentials offers informational events MakingChange hosts free financial workshops|last=Cox|first=Erin|date=14 August 2016|work=The Baltimore 2018|id = {{ProQuest|1811155424}}}} Maryland Governor Larry Hogan toured the recovery efforts, along with Howard County Executive Allan H. Kittleman, and requested that the federal government help with the historic town's reconstruction.
Flood event
On Sunday, May 27, 2018, between 3:00 P.M. and 5:00 P.M. a massive storm released nearly two months of rain, over {{convert|9.71|in|cm}}, onto the Ellicott City area causing catastrophic flooding in the surrounding area, which swept away roads and cars, and brought more than {{convert|10|ft|m}} of rapidly moving water down Main Street in Old Ellicott City. These flash floods were intensified by the fact the Historic Ellicott City is built at the confluence of three streams running under the streets of Ellicott City. A large portion of the southbound US 29 flooded several feet. Heavy rains and rapidly rising water washed away portions of several roads.{{cite news|url=https://www.accuweather.com/en/weather-news/photos-catastrophic-flash-flood-strikes-ellicott-city-maryland-state-of-emergency-declared/70005059|title=Catastrophic flash flood strikes Ellicott City, Maryland; Body of missing National Guardsman found|website=AccuWeather|first=Brian|last=Lada|date=May 29, 2018}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.wunderground.com/history/daily/us/md/oak-west/KBWI/date/2018-5-27|title=Baltimore-Washington International, MD - History|last=|first=|date=|website=|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=1 December 2018}}{{cite news|url=http://foxbaltimore.com/news/local/flood-warning-extended-water-rescues-underway|title=FLOOD WARNING EXTENDED: Water Rescues Underway|agency=Associated Press|work=WBFF|date=May 27, 2018}}{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/27/us/ellicott-city-flooding-maryland.html|title=One Missing After Flash Flooding Rages Through Community Near Baltimore|date=May 27, 2018|work=The New York Times|first1=Christopher|last1=Mele|first2=Emily|last2=Baumgaertner}}
File:Funeral of Sgt. Eddison Hermonds (41936835044).jpg
Howard County officials reported that at least 30 water rescues and one missing person search were performed as a result of the storm.{{cite news|url=https://www.wusa9.com/article/weather/devastating-dangerous-ellicott-citys-main-street-hit-with-flooding-again/65-558994116|title='Devastating, dangerous' - Ellicott City's Main Street hit with flooding again|work=WUSA (TV)|first=Dori|last=Olmos|date=May 27, 2018}}
The National Weather Service reported rainfall totals in excess of {{convert|10|in|cm}} in several areas, with Catonsville receiving the highest at {{convert|10.38|in|cm}} and Ellicott City receiving {{convert|8.40|in|cm}}.{{cite web|url=https://nwschat.weather.gov/p.php?pid=201805280616-KLWX-NOUS41-PNSLWX|title=NWSChat|publisher=NOAA|website=National Weather Service|date=May 28, 2018}}
According to meteorologists, the storm was "likely worse" than the 2016 Maryland flood because Ellicott City received only {{convert|5|in|spell=in}} of rain during the 2016 flood,{{Cite news|title=The second 1,000-year rainstorm in two years engulfed Ellicott City. Here's how it happened.: The waterlogged weather pattern, Ellicott City's flood-prone geography and climate change all conspired to make this flash-flood horror show.|last=Halverson|first=Jeff|date=28 May 2018|work=The Washington Post|id = {{ProQuest|2045916209}}}}{{cite news|url=http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/weather/bs-md-weather-storm-2016-story.html|title=How does latest Ellicott City storm stack up with 2016? Meteorologists weigh in|last=Tkacik|first=Christina|date=May 28, 2018|work=The Baltimore Sun}} which was almost half as much of rain received in the 2018 flood.
The 39-year-old National Guardsman and U.S. Air Force veteran Sgt. Eddison "Eddie" Hermond was reported missing after helping a local business owner who was trapped by rising water. Hermond was swept away by the current. Active recovery efforts were underway on May 28, 2018, and suspended the next day after his body was recovered in the Patapsco River. "We're deeply saddened to learn that the body of Sgt. Eddison Hermond has been found." Governor Hogan mourned Hermond's loss. "There are no words to adequately describe our sense of loss," he said in a statement. "He bravely risked his life to assist a fellow citizen during the flooding in Ellicott City. Our heartfelt prayers go out to Sgt. Hermond's family and loved ones." To honor Hermond, all Maryland flags were ordered to fly at half-staff.{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/public-safety/man-missing-search-underway-after-massive-flooding-in-ellicott-city-md/2018/05/28/57b7ca72-627b-11e8-99d2-0d678ec08c2f_story.html|title='Washed away real quick': Missing Md. man was trying to help woman trapped by flood|first1=Michael E.|last1=Miller|first2=Ian|last2=Shapira|date=May 28, 2018|work=The Washington Post}}
=Surrounding rivers=
The water level of the Patapsco River southeast of Ellicott City surpassed its previous peak record when it experienced a {{convert|17|ft|m|adj=on}} increase.{{cite web|url=https://weather.com/safety/floods/news/2018-05-27-maryland-flooding-baltimore-ellicott-city|title=Ellicott City, Maryland, Struck by Catastrophic Flooding; 1 Missing|website=Weather.com|first1=Ada|last1=Carr|first2=Sean|last2=Breslin|date=May 29, 2018}}
Aftermath
On May 28, 2018, Governor Larry Hogan declared a state of emergency.
Since the flood, the Howard County government sought solutions to fortify the historic district against future flash flooding. There was a recovery website dedicated to the flood set up by the Howard County government.{{Cite web|url=https://www.howardcountymd.gov/Departments/Ellicott-City-Flood-2018|title=2018 Flood|last=|first=|date=|website=Howard County Maryland|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=3 December 2018}} Former Howard County executive Allan H. Kittleman signed a bill which would demolish and remove 13 historic buildings from the city. The plan was funded at $50 million and is expected to be completed by 2023.{{Cite news|url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/howard/ph-ho-cf-ellicott-whatsnext-1008-story.html|title=Hurdles remain before buildings can be demolished in historic Ellicott City|last=Logan|first=Erin|date=15 October 2018|work=Howard County Times|access-date=2 December 2018}}
The plan to demolish the historic buildings had several obstacles due to the necessary permits: The Historic Preservation Commission required grant authorization for Howard County to raze the structures, The Maryland Department of the Environment required permits for waterways and non-tidal wetlands, and The United States Army Corps of Engineers also required a permit. The approval timeline for the Army Corps of Engineers's permit was extended because demolishing buildings in a historic district could alter Ellicott City's historic characteristics and nature, therefore influencing their place on the National Register of Historic Places.
Howard County executive Calvin Ball III did not support the plan of demolishing the historic buildings, stating that demolition should be a last resort.{{Cite news|url=https://wjla.com/news/local/ellicott-city-undergoing-restoration-project-to-prevent-potential-flood|title=Ellicott City undergoing restoration project to prevent potential flooding|last=Gonzalez|first=John|date=26 November 2018|work=ABC|access-date=2 December 2018}}
Celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay, on his show 24 Hours to Hell and Back, visited the town and did renovations on several restaurants in the town.{{cite web |title=Gordon Ramsay shines a light on Ellicott City |url=https://www.littlemarketcafe.com/gordon-ramsay-shines-light-ellicott-city |website=Little Market Cafe |access-date=6 November 2023}}