Flooding from torrential rain killed two people in Ellicott City, Maryland, with floodwaters washing through the USA town’s historic downtown, collapsing a street and sweeping away cars, officials said on Sunday. At first one man attempts to reach the woman but is swept off his feet.
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“I thought she was gonna die”, he claimed.
The other victim was identified as Joseph Blevins, 38, of Windsor Mill, Maryland, police said. His girlfriend was in the vehicle with him and managed to make it out.
Mayor Mike Pantelides and County Executive Steve Schuh sent their emergency responders, planners and equipment to Ellicott City after a torrential rain brought on flooding that swept away cars, people and the roads. He went on to say that they are going to become a stronger and better community because that is who they are. Barbara Mikulski, D-Md., also praised Barnes’ “incredible, fearless act”, adding “My breath was taken away”. The acts of bravery during the storm, she said, “took my breath away”. They had both been in cars when the flooding hit.
Rising floodwaters ripped through buildings and carried away cars that caused the displacement of dozens of residents, Kittleman said.
As state and federal leaders toured the damage Monday, one said the water washed foundations away like an quake.
The cost of repairs on Main St. could run into the hundreds of millions of dollars, county officials said.
“So much is gone”, business owner Kelli Myers told WUSA-TV.
Residents and officials are still working to restore the area. The video was shot by Dave Arditti on Main Street in the historic town of Ellicott City, Maryland, at about 8:30 p.m. She was the single mother of a 10-year-old girl and a member of Living Waters Chapel, also in Lebanon County. “Do not try to win with a flood”, she said.
“Flood insurance was just insane down here”, she said.
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This action from the department follows a directive from Governor Larry Hogan earlier this week ordering all state agencies to assist Ellicott City residents and businesses in their recovery efforts from the historic flooding this past weekend.
