Pedestrians form human chain to rescue woman stranded by flood

A pastor says a woman killed by flash flood waters in Ellicott City, Maryland, was the single mother of a 10-year-old girl.

Amber Georgieff and Gayle Killen couldn’t contain their enthusiasm Monday afternoon when a yellow bulldozer scooped up muck and debris and threw it into a dump truck on Main Street in Ellicott City, Md.

Recovery and cleanup is underway on historic Main Street after the sidewalk caved in due to overnight flooding in Ellicott City, Md., on Sunday. “Or as Lt. Gov Rutherford told me, like a set from a disaster movie.”Miller said the water levels have returned to normal but more damage could be on the way”.

The floodwaters swept away hundreds of cars, tore up sidewalks and wrecked storefronts and building foundations.

Howard County Executive Allan Kittleman told The Associated Press the devastation was the worst he’d seen in 50 years living in the county, including Hurricane Agnes in 1972, which caused the river to overflow its banks.

In addition to damage to businesses, county officials said about 180 vehicles were towed.

Ellicot City resident Jamie Knight, 29, was driving home Saturday night during the powerful rainstorm when she says a powerful surge of water moving down Main Street suddenly carried her auto away.

FOX 5’s Melanie Alnwick says that most of the owners she saw Tuesday morning were able to drive away in their vehicles.

Dozens of buildings were damaged and cars piled up on the streets of the town, just outside of Baltimore.

The other victim was identified as Joseph Blevins, 38, of Windsor Mill, Maryland, police said. He said she and two other family members were with Ms. Watsula but survived.

Al Miller (left) helps clear Dan Durantaye’s flooded basement after heavy floods devastated the historic district of Ellicott City on Sunday.

“There’s nowhere for them to go”. Seven people died and 700 were temporarily displaced, according to the Washington Post.

Ellicott City – located roughly 14 miles west of Baltimore – was hit by almost six inches of rain in less than two hours. He pulled her out of the vehicle and carried her to safety.

NBC reports that according to the county, at least “four homes were destroyed, and 20 to 30 others sustained substantial damage”.

The overflowing water raged through Main Street downtown after it overflowed its narrow channels, Miller added.