​Howard County To Host Public Meeting On Flood Proofing For Ellicott City

From Howard Dep't of Public Works: Howard County Department of Public Works (DPW) will hold a public meeting with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) on Wednesday, Jan. 18 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the Columbia/Ellicott City Room of the George Howard Building, 3430 Court House Drive in Ellicott City. In response to the July 2016 flood in Historic Ellicott City, USACE will discuss a scheduled flood proofing assessment and share potential flood proofing actions with property owners.

“We need to keep working on how to prevent flood damage in the future, especially in Ellicott City,” said Howard County Executive Allan H. Kittleman. “While we can’t promise flooding will never happen again, we can take steps to minimize the impact. I appreciate the help and input of the Corps of Engineers to make our historic town a model resilient community.”

The first hour of the meeting will feature a presentation by USACE on the nature and schedule of upcoming field studies and describe the next steps in the assessment study, including time for audience questions. The second hour will offer a live webinar conducted by the USACE National Flood Proofing Team, with a more general discussion of some possible measures that individual property owners can take. USACE staff and DPW staff will be on hand to discuss the study and answer any questions.

The assessment study, scheduled to be completed by Fall 2017, will target Historic Ellicott City’s Main Street from US 29 to the Patapsco River and will evaluate various building styles and offer recommendations for types of flood proofing. A final report will offer options for property owners to pursue.

“It is important as we rebuild in Ellicott City that property owners have the tools and information to make effective decisions to protect their property,” said Joseph Herr, Ellicott City Flood Recovery Manager. “All the efforts will make Ellicott City safer and stronger in the future.”

Those unable to attend the meeting who would like to view the proposed plans and/or have questions, should contact Mr. Mark S. Richmond with DPW’s Storm Water Management Division at 410-313-6413 or email msrichmond@howardcountymd.gov.

An interpreter for people who are deaf or hard of hearing will be available if requested seven working days prior to the meeting. Please call the Department of Community Resources and Services at 410-313-6400 (voice) or use Relay at 7-1-1, between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.

For questions or more information about Capital Project D-1165, contact Lisa Brightwell, Public Works Customer Service, at 410-313-3440 or email publicworks@howardcountymd.gov.

Image via County Executive Allan Kittleman.