Baltimore city, county conduct rescues, evacuations but report no injuries
20 rescued in Ten Hills, 3 in Gunpowder Falls State Park; no injuries reported
The deluge of rain that flooded Ellicott City on Sunday destroyed roads and prompted rescues and evacuations elsewhere across the region.
First responders rescued 20 people — including several trapped aboard a Maryland Transit Administration bus — and recovered 10 vehicles in West Baltimore’s Ten Hills neighborhood, while the Jones Falls overflowed from its banks on the city’s north side, prompting a number of businesses to evacuate and close, officials said.
No injuries to citizens or emergency personnel have been reported, and the flooding has not required the city to staff its emergency operations center, said David McMillan, director of the Mayor’s Office of Emergency Management.
“The scope of what we’re dealing with is a lot less than Ellicott City,” McMillan said. “We are continuing to respond to issues we have with flash flooding, debris and rescues.”
Large chunks of pavement and manhole covers were washed from the 5000 block of Frederick Avenue, where the bus was stuck, and BGE crews were shutting off gas in the area, due to concerns that the several feet of water was affecting utilities.
“That area was hit the strongest, it seems, in terms of impact,” McMillan said.
Baltimore County crews — those that weren’t aiding Howard County efforts in Ellicott City — saved three people from floodwaters in the Gunpowder Falls State Park in Kingsville, officials said, while in Catonsville, an ambulance forded floodwaters rushing down the main drag of Frederick Road.
Businesses near the banks of the Jones Falls, including the Stone Mill Bakery, the La Cuchara restaurant and the Nepenthe Homebrew beer-and-wine-making supply store, were evacuated.
“River is getting too high for our liking,” Nepenthe posted on its Instagram feed, with a photo of the rising tide. “Closing up shop for the day, fingers crossed we’re open as planned tomorrow.”
La Cuchara also notified its followers on Instagram of the decision to close Sunday night.
“We apologize for the inconvenience but we are closed this evening for the safety of our guests and staff,” the restaurant said on its Instagram.
Vehicles parked in the area of Union Avenue were removed, and Northern District police are doing traffic control to keep drivers from getting stuck, according to Chakia Fennoy, a Baltimore Police Department spokeswoman.
No injuries have been reported, Fennoy said.