Ellicott City is back at familiar crossroads
Chris Van Hollen, County Councilman J Weinstein and Del. Robert L. Flanag among others.
“It rips your heart out,” said Cardin of t flooding.
“This is something that been ve difficult for all of us,” said Kittlem Addressing the crowd, he added, “I appre ate your willingness to stand with us.”
Jackie Scott, director of the departme of community resources and services, to attendees about local and state agencies a nonprofits available at the newly creat Disaster Assistance Center, which open last week at the Ellicott City 50+ Center.
Meanwhile, reconstruction has alrea begun at the Ellicott City Visitors Cent said Jim Irvin, director of public works.
The Federal Emergency Manageme Agency and its state counterpart in Ma land conducted damage assessmen Thursday, a preliminary step to potentia securing disaster assistance. And in statement, Gov. Larry Hogan said Maryla officials are “committed to helping tho impacted by the recent devastating floo recover as quickly as possible.”
Yet even before assessments were ma and before Wednesday’s briefing, som Ellicott City residents and business own took to social media to debate the causes flood damage — and the next steps to tak Some suggested Kittleman and oth county leaders need to address plans future floods immediately. But those pla will take time to implement, said othe And what are they supposed to do in t meantime? The Sollohubs estimate they’d lost tho sands of dollars — but were grateful to ha their cat and each other.
“The paper and the physical stuff, hurts,” said Eric Sollohub. “I’d rather ha this,” he said, holding onto his wife’s arm According to the National Weath Service, last Sunday’s storm dumped estimated 7.48 inches of rain onto Ellic City — more than the 6-plus inches in t 2016 storm that produced a flash flood th similarly devastated the historic district.
Because Ellicott City is located in a val surrounded by streams and tributar running into the Patapsco River, its arter funnel water down the valley. Sunda event caused major power outages a damaged businesses and homes in t historic downtown area.
Water levels on the Patapsco Riv reached morethan 27 feet high —compar to around 11 feet before — according to nearby gauge maintained by the Unit States Geological Survey.
Ahandful of 911 tapes released by t county in the aftermath of the flood offer aglimpse of the fear many felt as wa rushed down the street, crashing throu windows and tossing cars. Howard Coun officials have said they received more th 1,100 calls to 911 during Sunday’s storm.
In the tapes released, one woman cal to report dozens of people trapped in upper floor of Tea on the Tiber floodwaters rose.
“Try to get people as high a ground as y can inside, all right?” the operator structed the woman. The operator prom ed that help would get there as soon possible.
“Are we going to die, ma’am?” t nervous caller asked.
“Honey,” the operator replied, “I’m going to do my best so that does not happen.”
Hermond, the 39-year-old National Guardsman from Severn, was washed away as he attempted to help a shop owner as she emerged from her store into the rushing water. His body was found Tuesday in the Patapsco, according to county police.
In the aftermath of the storm, the county began assessing the safety of structures and removing debris. Officials said they had retrieved nearly 200 cars that had been sent down the streets.
By Tuesday officials were escorting residents, property and business owners to and from the site — until the operation was suspended Thursday due to fear over new storms that could bring additional flooding.
Meanwhile, the Maryland Department of Labor offered resources such as unemployment-benefits assistance, employee insurance advice and job-search assistance.
And the county’s Department of Public Works attempted to answer propertyrelated questions — including the status of roads that had been closed.
The Department of Housing and Community Development was helping place people in an Extended Stay America hotel on Route 100, according to director Kelly Cimino.
After the second major flood in two years, some business owners said they are facing difficult questions in the days to come. Namely, whether to rebuild — again.
At Tersiguel’s French Country Restaurant, Michel Tersiguel said he knew immediately that he will reopen the establishment, a longtime destination for special occasions and French class field trips.
“It’s no question for us,” Tersiguel said.
“We rebuilt the building last time, so that helped. … Our plan is to get at it as soon as the county lets us in.”
Rick Winter, a partner in Ellicott Mills Brewing Co., said “we have every intention of fixing it again, just like we did last time.”
But he added: “It’s a question of the town itself. ... Until they get the infrastructure in the town reopened, it doesn’t make much sense reopening.”
“To come back from a flood is an accomplishment,” he said. “To come back from two? A lot harder.”
Baltimore Sun reporters Brian Compere, Pamela Wood and Kevin Rector contributed to this article. ctkacik@baltsun.com
“It rips your heart out,” said Cardin of t flooding.
“This is something that been ve difficult for all of us,” said Kittlem Addressing the crowd, he added, “I appre ate your willingness to stand with us.”
Jackie Scott, director of the departme of community resources and services, to attendees about local and state agencies a nonprofits available at the newly creat Disaster Assistance Center, which open last week at the Ellicott City 50+ Center.
Meanwhile, reconstruction has alrea begun at the Ellicott City Visitors Cent said Jim Irvin, director of public works.
The Federal Emergency Manageme Agency and its state counterpart in Ma land conducted damage assessmen Thursday, a preliminary step to potentia securing disaster assistance. And in statement, Gov. Larry Hogan said Maryla officials are “committed to helping tho impacted by the recent devastating floo recover as quickly as possible.”
Yet even before assessments were ma and before Wednesday’s briefing, som Ellicott City residents and business own took to social media to debate the causes flood damage — and the next steps to tak Some suggested Kittleman and oth county leaders need to address plans future floods immediately. But those pla will take time to implement, said othe And what are they supposed to do in t meantime? The Sollohubs estimate they’d lost tho sands of dollars — but were grateful to ha their cat and each other.
“The paper and the physical stuff, hurts,” said Eric Sollohub. “I’d rather ha this,” he said, holding onto his wife’s arm According to the National Weath Service, last Sunday’s storm dumped estimated 7.48 inches of rain onto Ellic City — more than the 6-plus inches in t 2016 storm that produced a flash flood th similarly devastated the historic district.
Because Ellicott City is located in a val surrounded by streams and tributar running into the Patapsco River, its arter funnel water down the valley. Sunda event caused major power outages a damaged businesses and homes in t historic downtown area.
Water levels on the Patapsco Riv reached morethan 27 feet high —compar to around 11 feet before — according to nearby gauge maintained by the Unit States Geological Survey.
Ahandful of 911 tapes released by t county in the aftermath of the flood offer aglimpse of the fear many felt as wa rushed down the street, crashing throu windows and tossing cars. Howard Coun officials have said they received more th 1,100 calls to 911 during Sunday’s storm.
In the tapes released, one woman cal to report dozens of people trapped in upper floor of Tea on the Tiber floodwaters rose.
“Try to get people as high a ground as y can inside, all right?” the operator structed the woman. The operator prom ed that help would get there as soon possible.
“Are we going to die, ma’am?” t nervous caller asked.
“Honey,” the operator replied, “I’m going to do my best so that does not happen.”
Hermond, the 39-year-old National Guardsman from Severn, was washed away as he attempted to help a shop owner as she emerged from her store into the rushing water. His body was found Tuesday in the Patapsco, according to county police.
In the aftermath of the storm, the county began assessing the safety of structures and removing debris. Officials said they had retrieved nearly 200 cars that had been sent down the streets.
By Tuesday officials were escorting residents, property and business owners to and from the site — until the operation was suspended Thursday due to fear over new storms that could bring additional flooding.
Meanwhile, the Maryland Department of Labor offered resources such as unemployment-benefits assistance, employee insurance advice and job-search assistance.
And the county’s Department of Public Works attempted to answer propertyrelated questions — including the status of roads that had been closed.
The Department of Housing and Community Development was helping place people in an Extended Stay America hotel on Route 100, according to director Kelly Cimino.
After the second major flood in two years, some business owners said they are facing difficult questions in the days to come. Namely, whether to rebuild — again.
At Tersiguel’s French Country Restaurant, Michel Tersiguel said he knew immediately that he will reopen the establishment, a longtime destination for special occasions and French class field trips.
“It’s no question for us,” Tersiguel said.
“We rebuilt the building last time, so that helped. … Our plan is to get at it as soon as the county lets us in.”
Rick Winter, a partner in Ellicott Mills Brewing Co., said “we have every intention of fixing it again, just like we did last time.”
But he added: “It’s a question of the town itself. ... Until they get the infrastructure in the town reopened, it doesn’t make much sense reopening.”
“To come back from a flood is an accomplishment,” he said. “To come back from two? A lot harder.”
Baltimore Sun reporters Brian Compere, Pamela Wood and Kevin Rector contributed to this article. ctkacik@baltsun.com
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