Flood Watch Thursday Prompts Parking Restrictions In Historic Ellicott City

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — In anticipation of severe weather and in response to a flood watch issued by the US National Weather Service Baltimore/Washington, the Howard County government has implemented several public safety measures, including parking restrictions, in Historic Ellicott City for Thursday.

The flood watch took effect at 2 p.m. Thursday, July 31. According to the NWS, significant flash flooding is possible during this time. Numerous showers and thunderstorms will develop and move across the area Thursday afternoon into Thursday evening. Thunderstorms will be capable of producing heavy rain with rainfall rates of 1 to 2 inches in 30 minutes. Widespread rainfall amounts of 1 to 2 inches are expected. Some areas could experience multiple rounds of thunderstorms, with higher rainfall amounts of 4 to 6 inches possible. The heaviest rainfall is most likely from 3 to 8:00 p.m., county officials said.

Complicating matters is that the water level behind the Liberty Dam, which feeds into the Patapsco River, is near the crest of the dam, which limits the capacity of the Liberty Dam to store additional rainwater during severe weather.

Drivers had until 2 p.m. to move their vehicle from these areas to the recommended upper Historic Circuit Courthouse parking lot. Vehicles that were not been moved by 2 p.m. to the upper Historic Circuit Courthouse parking lot or another location were towed by Howard County Police at no cost to the owner up to this parking lot.

Main Street may be temporarily closed to traffic at various points throughout the day, depending upon the weather.

Related: 6 Inches Of Rain Possible In MD Amid Thunderstorms