ELLICOTT CITY, MD – Howard County is providing the below update following the July 14th, 2025, storms, including the impact on Historic Ellicott City:
Statement:
In preparation for the severe weather today, the Howard County Office of Emergency Management (OEM) activated the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) to monitor the storm and manage pre-emptive responses with public safety personnel. During the course of this severe storm, Howard County saw approximately 1.5 inches of rainfall in Ellicott City in less than one hour. The rapid rate of rainfall caused limited, temporary flooding and standing water on Lower Main Street in Historic Ellicott City, near Maryland Avenue.
During Monday’s storms, public safety teams also received reports of damage and flooding in other areas of Howard County, including:
- Pooling of water at Frederick Rd
- Flooding on Rt. 103 and Rt. 1
- Water in roadway at Guilford Road
- Water in roadway and vehicle stuck (passengers self-extricated) at Gorman Road
- Tree down at Mullinix Rd
- Tree down at College Ave
- Tree down blocking road at WB Guilford and Mary Ln
- Tree down at Sandhill and Scott Wheeler
Monday’s storm followed heavy rainfall in Historic Ellicott City on Sunday, July 13, 2025, when Ellicott City received approximately 3.35 inches of rainfall during a three-hour period. Due to these significant rainfall totals, the Howard County Department of Public Works (DPW) has initiated stream inspections and debris clearing in the Historic Ellicott City watershed. Comprehensive stream inspections and debris removal are a key component of the Ellicott City Safe and Sound Plan, ensuring the safety of residents, business owners, and visitors in Historic Ellicott City.
The following timeline captures key events and emergency management actions during Monday’s Flood Watch in Howard County:
July 14, 2025 – Storm Event Timeline
At 12:36 a.m. on Monday, July 14, 2025, the National Weather Service (NWS) issued a Flood Watch for Howard County beginning at 2:00 p.m. and ending at 12:00 midnight on Tuesday, July 15, 2025.
At 1:30 p.m. Howard County Police Department (HCPD) instituted parking restrictions throughout Historic Ellicott City. Parking was prohibited along Main Street from Ellicott Mills Drive to the Patapsco River bridge at the Howard/Baltimore County line and along Maryland Avenue. Additionally, Parking Lots D and E were closed. Motorists were requested to move their vehicles to the upper Historic Circuit Courthouse parking lots.
After 3:00 p.m., HCPD towed 13 cars from Main Street, Maryland Avenue, Lot D, and Lot E to the upper Historic Circuit Courthouse parking lot at no cost to the owner.
At 6:13 p.dm., HCPD initiated the closure of Main Street in Historic Ellicott City to vehicular traffic due to high rain rates combined with elevated water levels in the Patapsco River, which resulted in minor standing water at the bottom of Main Street. At the same time, OEM activated the Outdoor Tone Alert System, which notifies people in and near Historic Ellicott City to seek higher ground immediately.
At 6:13 p.m., NWS issued a Flash Flood Warning for East Central Howard County, including Elkridge. At this point, NWS reported that between 0.5 and 1 inch of rain had fallen in the warned area. Historic Ellicott City was not included in this Flash Flood Warning.
At 6:34 p.m., NWS issued a Flash Flood Warning for Southeastern Howard County, including Elkridge, Laurel, Savage-Guilford, Scaggsville, Ilchester, Jessup, and Savage. At this point, NWS reported that between 2 and 2.5 inches of rain had fallen in the warned area. Historic Ellicott City was not included in this Flash Flood Warning.
At roughly 6:55 p.m., the Howard County Police Department reopened Main Street in Historic Ellicott City to vehicular traffic after rain rates had declined and the minor standing water on Main Street had receded.
At 8:06 p.m., NWS cancelled the Flood Watch for Howard County.
At 8:32 p.m., parking restrictions along Main Street, Maryland Avenue, Lot D, and Lot E in Historic Ellicott City were lifted.
At 8:36 p.m., the Flash Flood Warning for Southeastern Howard County was cancelled and replaced with a Flood Warning until 9:45 p.m.
At 8:50 p.m., the Flash Flood Warning for East Central Howard County was cancelled and replaced with a Flood Warning until 10:00 p.m.