Howard County Implements Proactive Security Measures in Anticipation of Extreme Weather

ELLICOTT CITY, MD – In anticipation of extreme climate and in response to a Flood Watch issued by the US National Weather Service Baltimore/Washington (NWS), Howard County Government is proactively implementing a number of public security measures, together with parking restrictions, in Historic Ellicott City on Thursday, July 31, 2025.

At 2:43 p.m. on July 30, the NWS issued a Flood Watch with the specter of flash flooding for areas of central Maryland, together with all of Howard County, in impact at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 31. According to NWS, vital flash flooding is feasible throughout this time. Numerous showers and thunderstorms will develop and transfer throughout the world Thursday afternoon into Thursday night. Thunderstorms can be able to producing very heavy rain, with rainfall charges of 1 to 2 inches in half-hour. Widespread rainfall quantities of 1 to 2 inches are anticipated. Some areas might expertise a number of rounds of thunderstorms, with increased rainfall quantities of 4 to six inches potential. This might lead to quite a few cases of flash flooding. Showers and thunderstorms will start early Thursday afternoon, and the heaviest rainfall is most definitely from 3:00 p.m. to eight:00 p.m.

Additionally, the water degree behind the Liberty Dam, which feeds into the Patapsco River, is at present close to the crest of the dam, which limits the capability of the Liberty Dam to retailer extra rainwater throughout extreme climate. Finally, the area is experiencing vital warmth and humidity, which contributes to the probability of extreme climate.

Out of an abundance of warning and in response to the NWS’ forecasted rainfall charges of 1 to 2 inches in half-hour, with the potential for 4 to 6 inches an hour in some areas, this afternoon and night, July 31, the Howard County Police Department (HCPD) is implementing PARKING RESTRICTIONS all through Historic Ellicott City.

Beginning at 1:00 p.m., parking can be PROHIBITED alongside Main Street from Ellicott Mills Drive to the Patapsco River bridge on the Howard County/Baltimore County line and alongside Maryland Avenue. Additionally, Parking Lot D behind the Howard County Welcome Center and Parking Lot E off Court Avenue behind Phoenix Upper Main are CLOSED. 

Motorists have till 2:00 p.m. to maneuver their automobile from these areas to the advisable higher Historic Circuit Courthouse parking zone. Vehicles that haven’t been moved by 2:00 p.m. can be towed by HCPD without charge to the proprietor as much as this parking zone.

In the occasion of extreme climate and vital rainfall, Main Street could also be quickly closed to vehicular visitors at varied factors all through the day.

Please keep in mind, if residents come across a flooded roadway, flip round, don’t drown. It takes only a mere six inches of fast-moving flood water to knock over an grownup, 12 inches of speeding water to hold away most vehicles and simply two ft of speeding water to hold away SUVs and vans. It isn’t secure to drive or stroll into flood waters.

Finally, Howard County Departments of Recreation and Parks and Public Works crews will safe Howard County Government-owned, outside furnishings in Historic Ellicott City as a precaution. Residents and enterprise homeowners are strongly inspired to do the identical.

To monitor the storms, the Howard County Office of Emergency Management (OEM) has activated the County’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC). Representatives from OEM, HCPD, the Howard County Department of Fire and Rescue Services (DFRS), Department of Public Works Stormwater Management Division, and County Administration will monitor storms intently and coordinate response.

For probably the most up-to-date forecast, residents are inspired to tune into their native tv and/or radio information stations. Residents may keep climate conscious by ensuring emergency alerts are activated on their cell gadget (www.ready.gov/alerts) and by subscribing to climate alerts by way of the U.S. National Weather Service’s web site at www.weather.gov/enterprise/.