Ellicott City, Md. — In July 2016, a devastating flash flood hit historic Ellicott City, as six inches of rain fell in just two hours, sending torrents of water rushing down Main Street. The flood claimed two lives, and two years later, another similar disaster struck, claiming the life of a National Guardsman who had been attempting to rescue others.
For many locals, like Megan McGowan, the memory of these tragedies remains vivid.
“We were just talking about it, and it was devastating to watch,” McGowan said. “It was absolutely tragic. We, as citizens of this area, want to do everything we can to prevent this from happening again.”
In response, Howard County has launched a major effort to reduce flooding in the area, including the construction of a massive tunnel that will stretch a mile long. This tunnel is designed to divert water away from Main Street and, with an 18-foot diameter, will be capable of channeling up to 26,000 gallons of water per second, as explained by Howard County Executive Calvin Ball.
The project also includes the creation of retention ponds to hold back tens of millions of gallons of rainwater that might otherwise flood the town.
Although the county has secured commitments for full funding, there are still uncertainties surrounding the project’s financing.
“We’ve seen a lot of uncertainty regarding funding, especially with changes in federal policies and executive orders affecting nonprofits and other sectors,” said Ball. “We’re continually assessing the financial implications.”
For long-time residents, including McGowan, the risk of future flooding is still a concern, as the area remains vulnerable to sudden storms.
“We were just noticing apartments right by the river, and I thought, ‘I’m not sure I’d feel comfortable being there just yet,’” McGowan admitted.
When asked about the possibility of heavy rains, she responded, “For now, yeah. If we get heavy rains, I’m heading to higher ground.”
Local Story
