![Ellicott City, before and after [Image source - Flickr - Forsaken Fotos]](https://staticr1.blastingcdn.com/media/photogallery/2018/5/28/660x290/b_502x220x82/ellicott-city-before-and-after-image-source-flickr-forsaken-fotos_2013409.jpg "Ellicott City, before and after [Image source - Flickr - Forsaken Fotos]")
Two years ago, flooding ravaged Maryland, killing two people. The floods seemed to have returned, even more devastating than before. On Sunday evening rain poured onto the streets of Maryland and showed no sign of stopping. The rain flooded the city's streets, resulting in a Flash Flood Warning. Luckily, there were no immediate reports of fatalities. Monday morning, however, the Fire Rescue Service got a call that a 39-year-old man was last seen at 5:20 PM on Sunday evening. The family of Eddison Alexander Hermond reported him missing at 12:30 AM Monday morning, spawning a search for the man among the debris.
The man was last seen at 5:20 PM on Sunday on the main street, where the flood hit the hardest. The National Weather Service called this flood "catastrophic."
The flood
The Howard County Fire Department warned people to climb to higher ground and wait for rescue teams. Maryland Governor Larry Hogan declared the floods a state of emergency after traveling to the wreckage himself. Footage of the devastation showed cars and pick-up trucks engulfed by the raging waters whipping through the main street. Some citizens reported hearing an alarm that warned them of the flood. Others reported going to the second story of their building and waiting, watching the water push cars and debris across the road in its wavy grasp.
Fire Rescue Services received help from as far away as Virginia to rescue people as quickly as possible. Baltimore County experienced flooding as well, though they were not hit as hard as Ellicott City.
The conclusion
Ellicott City experienced a similar flood in 2016, and this current flood is even worse. This Sunday's flood was seen by many townspeople as worse even though the 2016 flood killed two people.
The flood waters engulfed cars and trucks. It is unknown if there are any fatalities so far, and all we can do is hope everyone comes out of this safely.
The Fire Rescue Service helped everyone they could as fast as possible, even while searching for the 39-year-old man who was reported missing on Monday morning. This sort of weather should not be taken lightly, and it shows that flash floods could happen anytime, anywhere.
It is always best to be prepared for the worst, even if you do not think it could ever happen again. The National Weather Service is advising everyone to stay as high up as they can and wait for help.
What do you think of this latest disaster?
