The Anniversary

 

Yesterday was the anniversary of the 2018 flood in Ellicott City. I was reminded of this by posts on social media. I’m sure that our community harbors plenty of folks who needed no external reminders: people who were there, who lived through it, who worked through loss and recovery.

County Executive Ball marked the anniversary on social media with a statement and a brief video which details the efforts of Howard County Government to make Ellicott City safer when experiencing heavy rains/severe weather events:

Today, May 27th, marks the sixth anniversary of the devastating 2018 Ellicott City flood. As we remember and reflect on all that we lost during the 2011, 2016, and 2018 floods, we will continue our work to protect our historic city and its residents, businesses, and visitors.

Over the last six years, we have worked diligently to establish key flood safety measures in Historic Ellicott City, as well as implement our transformational Ellicott City Safe and Sound Plan. To date, we have completed two major flood mitigation projects under the Plan, and two more will be breaking ground this summer. Together, we will continue our work to ensure that Ellicott City’s best days are ahead.

As the day wore on, increasingly ominous announcements from the National Weather Service about a possible flash flood event turned a day of somber recollection into several hours of amplified fears and heightened vigilance. Established protocols were set in motion. The alarm was sounded on Main Street. Businesses closed. 

In the end the rain, though heavy, did not trigger the kind of catastrophic flooding seen in 2016 and 2018. The storm passed. Many people breathed easier, but - - it was a reminder of the day they could have lived without.

This morning I went looking for information about yesterday’s storm and I bumped into this post. It must have been written when the rain was at its heaviest.

Monsoon here in Ellicott City. Everyone good?

I scanned the responses. This one spoke to me.

Let us know if you need the guest room.

Yesterday must have been a very hard day for anyone who has first-hand memories of devastating flooding in Ellicot City. It is both helpful and reassuring to know how local government has worked (and is still working) to make that community safer. On a personal level, though, there is something priceless about an offer of a place to stay if you need one.

I’m thankful for both. We need both. It’s a timely reminder that even though we cannot move mountains alone we can always offer what we have.

Village Green/Town² Comments