Update: 1:35 p.m.

Howard County Fire and Rescue and Howard County Police are working to evacuate Main Street as flood waters continue to rise.

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Howard County Fire and Rescue has responded to a fire in Fulton, a swift water rescue, and a partially collapsed building in Ellicott City Wednesday as a result of the heavy rainfall, according to HCFR spokeswoman Jackie Cutler.

The National Weather Service declared a flash flood emergency in Howard County until 2:30 p.m.

In three hours, some areas of the county have seen up to five inches of rain, and as of 1:00 p.m., it’s still coming down heavy in some places. 

No one was injured in the building collapse on Main Street in the historic district, Cutler said, but part of Main Street was closed as a result of crews surveying the damage and flooding in the streets.

The Swift Water Rescue team, a division of HCFR Special Operations, had to help out a driver whose car was immobilized by water on Route 40 at the intersection of North Chatham Road. No further information was available about the fire in Fulton as of 1:00 p.m.

Rain and thunderstorms are expected to continue into Thursday, according to NWS, and the region could see an additional inch of rain or more through Wednesday night. 

NWS also warns that some areas could see lightning strikes and wind gusts up to 20 mph. Flooding is particularly dangerous for drivers, according to NWS, because “flood waters are usually deeper than they appear. Just one foot of flowing water is powerful enough to sweep vehicles off the road.”

According to NWS, most flood deaths occur in automobiles. 

Howard County Police Spokeswoman Elizabeth Schroen said the most traveled flooded roads are:

• Cedar Lane at Little Patuxent Parkway
• Stevens Forest Road at Brokenland Parkway
• Rt. 40 at North Chatham Road

If you are aware of flooding in your area, please let us know in the comments section or on the Ellicott City Patch Facebook page.