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Flood recovery efforts continue in Ellicott City, surrounding areas

https://www.facebook.com/HoCoGovExec/photos

Baltimore City Schools says due to flooding in the area, North Bend Elementary Middle School will be closed today, Tuesday, May 29 (staff report to Professional Development Center). Beechfield Elementary Middle School will open Monday on a 2 hour delay.

Meanwhile, the search continues for a National Guardsman who went missing during the massive flooding in Ellicott City.  Police Chief Gary Gardner says 39-year-old Eddison Hermond was swept away Sunday afternoon while trying to help a woman rescue her cat from floodwaters. Police say Hermond is a black man last seen near La Palapa and anyone with information should call 9-1-1.  The devastating flood swept away cars and damaged buildings.  Almost three-dozen people were rescued in the flooding and two people were killed in July 2016.  The nearby Patapsco River swelled to a record-breaking level of just over 24-feet.  The river rose nearly 18-feet in just two hours Sunday.  Howard County Police say Hermond is a black man last seen near La Palapa and anyone with information should call 9-1-1. 

Credentialing and access to Main Street for Business Owners, Residents and Property Owners ONLY: Credentialing to access Main Street will take place at the George Howard Building, 3430 Court House Drive TODAY from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

ESCORTED access to properties TODAY will be from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Those with credentials must report to the George Howard Building to be assigned an escort.

Requesters must show valid ID, utility bill or other documentation of affiliation to the property. Please note that some properties will not be accessible for entry, based on structural and safety concerns. Credentials from the 2016 Ellicott City Flood will not be accepted.

During today's visit, credentialed individuals will be driven by trained safety personnel and allowed to document damage and retrieve essential items. They may only retrieve items that can be personally carried. Due to the large number of residents who need to be accommodated, each will be limited to a maximum 10 minutes of access.

When coming to the site, residents need to:

• Wear solid, closed toe footwear, preferably an over the ankle work boot or hiking boot.

• Wear long pants and are encouraged to wear a long-sleeved shirt.

• Consider bringing work gloves and eye protection.

• Bring a flashlight due to the current power outage.

Ellicott City in Howard County was slammed by flooding due to heavy rains on Sunday, but parts of Baltimore County suffered flooding as well.  Interim County Executive Don Mohler says Department of Public Works Director Steve Walsh tells him he's working on a plan to help flood victims dispose of debris.  That information is expected to be released this afternoon.  Oella  and Catonsville reported quite a bit of flood damage and some roadways remain closed.  Flooding was also reported in other parts of the county where emergency crews carried out more than a dozen water rescues.

The search is continuing for a Maryland National Guardsman who went missing during the massive flooding in Ellicott City.  Howard County police say 39-year-old Eddison Hermond was swept away by flood waters Sunday night while helping a woman.  Hermond was dining with friends at La Palapa restaurant when the floodwaters hit.  He is described as a black male who is five-foot-ten inches tall and weighs 160 pounds.  Anyone with information should call 9-1-1.

Part of Frederick Avenue in Southwest Baltimore City is closed as crews make repairs to damage from Sunday's storms.  Officials say Frederick Avenue between Beechfield Avenue and Northbend Road may remain closed for several weeks or longer.  Detours have been set up.  The city is still working to clean up from Sunday's storm and will be providing large dumpsters at Stillmeadow Community Fellowship for storm related debris.

Howard County has started a website for Ellicott City flood information.  ECFloodRecovery-dot-org has information on recovery efforts, how people can get access to their homes or businesses, how to pick up cars that were left in the Main Street area and how to volunteer, among other resources.  A Disaster Assistance Center will open at noon today at the Ellicott City 50 Plus Center.