Ellicott City Flood Timeline Next ↓

6:45 PM Rain begins to fall in Ellicott City as old town Main Street businesses enter the busiest stretch of the week, with patrons visiting shops and restaurants. Next ↓

7:18 PM The National Weather Service issues a flash flood warning across Howard County, Baltimore City and southern Baltimore County. Dozens of restaurant-goers are dining at Main Street restaurants. Next ↓

7:30 PM The heaviest rains move in to Ellicott City, with 4.56 inches of accumulation over the next hour. Six and a half inches of rain falls on Ellicott City in about 2 hours, a deluge expected to occur only once every thousand years. Next ↓

8:15 PM The Patapsco River begins to swell, rising 6 feet in an hour as tributaries from the valley begin to empty into the river. Next ↓

8:45 PM As rain tapers off, floodwaters begin to surge down Main Street, with nearly 6 inches of precipitation in two hours. Diners begin to shoot video from their phones on the upper-level dining rooms at Portalli’s. Next ↓

8:50 PM A strong stream down Main Street becomes a rapid current and cars are swept downhill toward the Patapsco River. At least two people are swept away — one from Main Street and another from the bridge over the Patapsco. See video Next ↓

8:55 PM Business owners lock arms to rescue a woman from a car floating down Main Street. Patrons and business owners in lower levels of stores and shops evacuate to upper levels of old buildings along Main Street. See video Read more Next ↓

9:00 PM As the flash flooding on Main Street eases, the Patapsco River crests, rising 14 feet in an hour and a half. See video Next ↓

11:59 PM Floodwaters subside. Howard County Executive Allan Kittleman calls for a state of emergency. On Sunday morning, Gov. Larry Hogan visits Ellicott City and declares a state of emergency, enabling coordination across levels of government. Read more Next ↓

Sunday morning A body is found along the Baltimore County side of the Patapsco River, near the Bloede Dam, as recovery efforts begin on Main Street. Read more Next ↓

Sunday afternoon Police announce a second body has been found along the Baltimore County side of the Patapsco. Read more Next ↓

Sunday into Monday Cars are towed from Main Street to Centennial High School, where residents can pick up their vehicles or assess damage. Read more Next ↓