The Baltimore Metropolitan area is experiencing flash flooding Sunday, prompting U.S. officials to advise residents to seek higher ground.
At 4:40 p.m. EST, the National Weather Service sent out a warning to Ellicott City in Howard County, Maryland.
“**FLASH FLOOD EMERGENCY** remains in effect for Ellicott City. This is an EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND POTENTIALLY CATASTROPHIC situation and you must move to HIGHER GROUND IMMEDIATELY AND STAY AWAY FROM ANYWHERE WHERE WATER IS MOVING,” tweeted the National Weather Service.
The town experienced similar flooding two years ago.
The Baltimore Sun writes:
“Flooding in Ellicott City rivaling the flooding incident in 2016,” the Howard County fire and rescue department tweeted. “Multiple rescues in progress.”
The department tweeted at about 5:20 p.m. that “water is receding.” They said “hundreds of rescuers” are swarming to the area. Those seeking shelter can go to the Roger Carter Community Center at 3000 Milltowne Drive.
Rescue swimmers from all three shifts are being called in, the department tweeted, with swift water units responding from as far away at Northern Virginia.
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Portalli’s Italian Restaurant employee Arianna Wilgar said the water had reached the establishment’s second floor. It was not that high last time, she said.
Baltimore County fire department spokeswoman Elise Armacost told residents, “If you don’t have to be outside, you shouldn’t be, later adding, “You’re much safer indoors.”
“We’ve got storm warnings all across the county right now.”
In a tweet Sunday evening, Maryland Governor Larry Hogan warned the flooding was “moving towards central Maryland,” and urged residents to “avoid travel.”
“Strong storms bringing heavy rain & potential for flash floods are currently moving across central Maryland. Please use extreme caution, follow all weather advisories& avoid travel if possible. If your area is under a flash flood warning, take precautions and seek higher ground,” Hogan tweeted.