Torrential downpours in Maryland lead to flooding and street closures
Torrential rain and strong wind gusts caused flooding and rising waters throughout the Baltimore area on Monday.
Flash Flood Warnings were issued for many Maryland counties throughout the evening. Floodwaters trapped cars, forced rescues, and shut down flood-prone areas.
City Dock flooded in Annapolis
Streets along City Dock in downtown Annapolis are closed due to rising waters and flooding.
Compromise Street is closed between Memorial Circle and St. Mary's Street. Officials say Dock Street is also closed to traffic.
"Do not drive through flooded waters or around barricades," the Annapolis Office of Emergency Management said. "Please use caution on the roadways, be prepared for reduced visibility, and follow posted detours."
Flooding on Main Street in Historic Ellicott City
Flood-prone Main Street in Historic Ellicott City was temporarily shut down because of significant rainfall and water rising on the roadways, according to the Howard County government.
County officials said the street has been reopened as "rain rates have declined."
"We are continuing to monitor and are in close contact with the National Weather Service regarding storm systems in the area," Howard County officials said. "Howard County may need to re-close Main Street if the county receives additional substantial rainfall."
Howard County saw approximately 1.5 inches of rainfall in Ellicott City in less than one hour. More than three inches fell in Ellicott City on Sunday.
Every business along Main Street closed earlier, and some put sandbags in front of their doors..
"I think sending their employees home was the right move, making sure their employees got out of here before the storm hit," said Ellicott City resident Jason Cohen.
The rising water near the Patapsco River at the bottom of Main Street triggered the town's outdoor alert system, which urged people to get to higher ground.
"I was coming from Owings Mills, I was actually coming up from the bottom of the hill over the bridge," Cohen said. "There was a lot of flooding down there, a lot of flooding coming from the side streets as well."
Rescues from Baltimore floodwaters
Four people were rescued from floodwaters on Bowleys Lane in Northeast Baltimore.
Baltimore City Fire Department spokesperson John Marsh couldn't confirm how they got into the water.
Fells Point flooding
Low-lying streets in Baltimore's Fells Point, near the harbor, had some flooding.
WJZ captured footage of floodwaters along Lancaster and Caroline streets.
Parking restrictions in Ellicott City
For several hours, parking was prohibited along Main Street from Ellicott Mills Drive to the Patapsco River Bridge and along Maryland Avenue.
Parking Lot D, behind the Howard County Welcome Center, and Parking Lot E off of Court Avenue are back open,
County leaders recommended that vehicles be relocated to the Historic Circuit Courthouse parking lot. Vehicles that were not moved by 3 p.m. were going to be towed to the courthouse parking lot with no cost to the owner.
"I was going to move my car up so it would be easier for me to get to work tomorrow, but I noticed all this commotion going on here," said Ellicott City resident Steven Hood. "This is the second time I've seen them clearing this out since I lived here."
Ellicott City flood prevention
Ellicott City has been impacted by deadly flooding on several occasions in recent years, including in 2011, 2016, and 2018.
The historic city is prone to severe flooding. This has prompted county leaders to launch the Ellicott City Safe and Sound Plan, which aims to mitigate flooding by removing debris from waterways after heavy rain.
Under the flood mitigation plan, the county has worked on seven flood control projects, including two completed retention ponds. The North Tunnel project, which is still under construction, will be able to collect 26,000 gallons of water per second and divert it away from Ellicott City's Main Street.
The project is expected to be complete in fall 2027.
Annapolis flood protection plan
In April, the City of Annapolis began demolitions for Phase 2 of the $100 million overhaul of City Dock. The City Dock Resiliency Project includes plans for flood barriers and a raised green space.
The plan aims to combat sea level rise while transforming the area into a more pedestrian-friendly space.
The second phase will include a state-of-the-art Waterfront Maritime Welcome Center connected to the historic Burtis House at the end of Prince George Street. It will also be the new home of the Harbormaster's Headquarters.
The result will be a "world-class park that serves residents, businesses, and visitors," , and will protect the community from the impacts of frequent and more intense flooding.
According , major construction, including parking restrictions and road closures, was set to begin this winter. An updated official timeline has yet to be announced.
Historic flooding struck Annapolis in August 2024 after Tropical Storm Debby rumbled through. Floodwaters at City Dock surged to 4.4 feet above normal levels, marking it as the eighth-highest flood event on record for Annapolis, city officials said.
