Mall in Columbia Food Court Partially Closed Wednesday Due to Flooding

Several restaurants in the food court at had to close yesterday due to flooding, according to officials from the Howard County Health Department.

Officials are returning today to determine whether the restaurants can re-open.

Spokeswoman Lisa Hernandez said during a routine health inspection Wednesday, a health inspector found eateries from Sbarro to McDonald's were flooded.

After the health inspector discovered the flooding, she then closed that side of the court, Hernandez said.

On Thursday, Howard County health department officials will return to the food court to determine whether the water is receded. The area will also have to be dried and cleaned with a sanitizing solution and any food product that might have been contaminated will have to be discarded. 

If this has occurred the restaurants will re-open, Hernandez said.

“If the waters have not had the opportunity to recede, the re-opening will be postponed until this process can be completed,” she said.