On Main Street? Move To Higher Ground: Howard County

ELLICOTT CITY, MD — Those on Main Street in Ellicott City should seek higher ground immediately. Howard County government officials issued the advisory after 8 p.m. on Wednesday, as the region was under a flood warning and downpours were occurring.

At 8:14 p.m., the National Weather Service reported its radar showed that slow-moving thunderstorms with heavy rainfall were continuing to make their way across the area. Emergency officials in the areas under the flood warning — Baltimore, Carroll, Frederick, Howard and Montgomery counties — were reporting road closures and water rescues due to heavy rain, the National Weather Service reported at 8:11 p.m.

By 9 p.m., Howard County government officials said that Main Street was reopening. The water did not breach the channel, authorities reported, and despite additional rain coming Wednesday evening, they anticipated it would stay contained.

People were advised to monitor conditions.

Update on Main Street Ellicott City: The water did NOT breach the channel. Main Street is reopening. Based on guidance from @NWS we expect steady rain for the next hour or so, we expect the channel has the capacity to handle the rainfall. Please closely monitor conditions.
— Howard County Gov't (@HoCoGov) July 26, 2018

If you are in the Main Street area of Ellicott City please move to higher ground.
— Howard County Gov't (@HoCoGov) July 26, 2018

The flood warning remains in effect until 11:30 p.m. on Wednesday. The warning continues until 1 a.m. on Thursday for southeastern Howard County.

Authorities in Howard County say they are monitoring conditions on Main Street, which recently reopened after the May 27 flood.

Because the ground is already saturated, heavy rain could lead to flash flooding. Roads and poorly drained areas can quickly become inundated during a flash flood.

Streams and creeks could leave their banks, flooding nearby properties.

SEE ALSO: Flood Warning Issued For HoCo, Flash Flood Watch Still In Effect