ELLICOTT CITY (WBFF) — Ten years later, Marylanders remember the historical flood in Ellicott City that claimed the lives of two and left devastating damage in its wake, leaving many to wonder where mitigation measures stand.
On Aug. 30, 2016, the historic Howard County town took on 6.5 inches of flash flood water from storms, tearing down Main Street, desecrating businesses, homes and lives.
Baltimore County Police recovered the bodies of 35-year-old Jessica Watsula of Lebanon, Pa., and 38-year-old Joseph Anthony Blevins of Windsor Mill.
Both were swept away in their vehicles by the torrent and were unable to escape.
The victims’ loved ones remembered them fondly with Watsula’s brother describing his sister as an “awesome, real cool girl.”
Blevins’ girlfriend Heather Owens was in the car with him when they were swept away.
Days after the disaster, she shared with FOX45 News that Blevins was doing his best to assure her everything would be alright.
“I really want that legacy to be left behind for him,” Owens said. “He took care of his kids and really lived for them.”
Not even two years later, in May 2018, Ellicott City once again faced detrimental loss to another flood that claimed the life of a National Guardsman who was aiding in rescue efforts.
Following the deadly floods, Howard County Executive Calvin Ball announced the Safe and Sound Plan in December 2018, aimed at flood mitigation safety measures that also preserve Old Ellicott City from future flash flood destruction.
The county initially promised $140 million for the project, with a set completion date of mid 2025.
But as the calendar marks a decade since the old town’s first flood, the price tag has nearly tripled to $386 million with seemingly no completion date in sight.
According to the Howard County website, three flood mitigation projects, the H-7, Quaker and H-4 Ponds are completed, and the extension of the North Tunnel is under construction.
Three other projects are in design, with completed dates yet to be released.
Last June, Governor Wes Moore announced $10 million through the Resilient Maryland Loan Fund would go towards two of those mitigation plans, the North Tunnel and the Maryland Avenue Culvert projects.
“This funding will help us deliver on a promise: to honor those we lost, protect the community we love, and build a safer, stronger Ellicott City,” Executive Ball said following the announcement.
But with over a year passing since the loan fund, only one of the two projects is complete.
Howard County’s website also shared that several flood safety efforts are in effect, including High Ground Access Points, Drop Arm Barriers and an Emergency Public Alert System.
Part of the Safe and Sound Plan, the Ellicott City Watershed Master Plan is also underway, meant to preserve and revamp the historic city.
The projects that comprise the plan, include building removal and renovations on lower Main Street, expanding Tiber Park, revitalization of the Historic Circuit Courthouse, “wayfinding” signs in town and improving Howard County-owned land on St. Paul Street.
The blurry timelines and unknown completion dates leave many to wonder if the semi-finished Safe and Sound Plan will be enough protection from the next flood, or if residents will once again face catastrophe.
We reached out to Howard County Council for comment on the mitigation timeline, but they did not get back to us by publication time.
As Howard County and Ellicott City continue to remember, rebuild and revamp, our team will watch closely for progress and community response.
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