Howard County Executive Allan Kittleman says a man was reported missing to police about 12:30 a.m. Monday. He hasn't been seen since about 5:20 p.m. Sunday, when brown water was raging down Main Street. Kittleman said the missing man is in his 40s and is not a resident of the historic district and that emergency workers are "making every effort to locate that individual."
Kittleman said the other priority is to assess the condition of buildings, which contain shops, restaurants and homes. The area remains blocked off, even to residents and business owners. Kittleman confirmed Monday that the missing man has been identified as Eddison Hermond, former Air Force and current National Guardsman. Kittleman was responding to a Facebook post from Bonnie Hoppa. “He’s a friend of several friends of mine, who have reached out asking me to help find him,” said Hoppa. “Eddison was helping rescue people from the Ellicott City flooding, when he was swept away. (Approximately 4:20pm, Tiber River IVO Parking Lot D.) Local news is saying no one is missing, but we don’t know where our brother is. Please please please, if you know where Eddison is, we are extremely worried.”
“There are no words to describe the devastation in Ellicott City,” said Kittleman on his Facebook page. “In addition to the business that have been destroyed, a portion of Ellicott Mills Drive has been washed away. For those impacted by yesterday's flood in Ellicott City, Kittleman saida hotline has been opened to provide information and assistance at 410-313-2900. For emergencies, call 911.
As more information becomes available, KIttleman said officials will share on Facebook and Twitter @HoCoGov, including information on donations, volunteers, and access for residents and business owners to Main Street.
Ellicott City is under a State of Emergency after heavy rain pummeled the city with flooding for a second time in just two years. Water surged up several feet on Main Street as more than seven inches of rain were reported to have been dumped on the city yesterday evening. Howard County Executive Allan Kittleman says the damage is worse than what the city saw during July 2016's devastating flooding.
Cars were swept down the street and crews worked throughout the night to help to those in need. Officials also reported building collapses. Officials said no fatalities or missing people had been reported as of last night. People are being advised to stay off the roads as several streets remain closed.
Earlier this month, Governor Larry Hogan announced that Howard County would get just over one-million from FEMA to reduce the flood risk of areas surrounding Ellicott City's Main Street.