Week After Deadly Flooding Ellicott City Community Remains Resilient
ELLICOTT CITY, Md. (WJZ)—The residents of Ellicott City continue to pick up the pieces one week after a thousand-year storm dropped six inches of rain on the Maryland community.
Two people were killed when rising floodwaters rushed through the historic city, turning Main Street into a torrent that carried away entire cars with drivers still inside, wiped out parts of roads and sidewalks, crippled homes and businesses.
But even with a long recovery, this close-knit community vows to rebuild and determined to get back up on their feet in the face of disaster.
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"We have been dealt a heavy blow," said Howard County Executive Allan Kittleman. "We were knocked down by a thousand-year storm that dropped six inches of rain in less than two hours. But we have gotten back on our feet and we are gearing up for what will be a long recovery and rebuilding process. We moved quickly to provide access to those who were displaced to retrieve their valuables – purses, work clothes, family treasures, cash registers, valuable documents – because we know that even in the face of a disaster; we must find a way to move forward."
Kittleman says each day progress is being made and he's moved by "the resiliency of the people of Ellicott City and the compassion of the people of Howard County."
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Throughout the week residents have been claiming damaged vehicles at the Centennial High School.
Those who have yet to claim their vehicle have until Sunday at 8 p.m. to do so.
Remember, owners have until 8PM tonight, Sun, Aug 7 to pick-up cars towed due to flooding from @hcpss_chs. #ECStrong pic.twitter.com/xs0JjkPAaB
— Calvin Ball (@HoCoGovExec) August 7, 2016
On Sunday, residents and business owners are being allowed back on Main Street to claim their belongings and clean up.
Officials say trips to Main Street will begin from the Howard Building at noon and all participants will be taken by bus
The Howard County Office of Workforce Development will hold a job fair for employees impacted by the Ellicott City flood on Monday, Aug. 8 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Disaster Assistance Center (DAC), Ellicott City 50+ Center, 9401 Frederick Road, Ellicott City, MD.
To learned more on how you can help the Ellicott City flood victims CLICK HERE.