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Patapsco River Goes 'Completely' Over its Bank in Ellicott City (UPDATED)

Flooding has led to road closures in the Historic District and Baltimore County.

 

Updated 1 p.m. Main Street and Frederick Road have been reopened 

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Parts of Main Street and Frederick Road are closed Thursday morning after heavy rains caused the Patapsco River to flood.

Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) officials closed Frederick Road from the Patapsco River to Old Frederick Road, and Main Street to Old Columbia Pike at about 3 a.m.Thursday. According to an SHA official on the scene, the area is on "flood watch" until about 2 p.m.

“Last night was pretty bad,” said Charlie Gischlar, SHA spokesperson, “I haven’t seen it rain like that in a long, long time.”

He said the ground saturation from last week's snow coupled with short bursts of heavy rains made the situation worse. “We’re starting to get trees down,” he said.

“Wherever you go, there’s garbage cans floating in the road and tree branches down.” Drivers, he said, should be extra cautious. “You could get yourself in hot water pretty fast." 

SHA closed the road several times temporarily several times Wednesday night, he said; then, “That river just completely went over its banks.” It’s been closed since about 3 a.m.

Check the SHA CHART system online for current road conditions, including closures and collisions. 

Earlier this week, County Executive Ken Ulman announced he was proposing $3 million in FY2014 capital budget go toward improvements to the Historic District, including into drainage and stormwater upgrades. 

Related Topics: Historic District, Main Street flooding, and Patapsco River

Gina

9:58 am on Thursday, January 31, 2013

Great pics! I have to say this is one of my favorite things about living in Catonsville! My Mom's family is from Catonsville and like everyone else has tons of pics of Agnes! When I was little and storms came through the first place we went was down River Rd (if we could sneak by the barriers) and watch the River and on the Main Street bridge. Now that I have moved back to Catonsville my kids (10 & 9) do the same thing! As soon as a bad storm comes my kids start with the "Let's go down River Rd and see the River!!! It's funny cause when we get down there I always see someone standing along the river that I went to school with that brought their little ones too!

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Brandie Jefferson

12:00 pm on Thursday, January 31, 2013

That's great! It is pretty amazing, the force of the river sometimes. A SHA worker said lots of the water was from heavier rains in Carroll County? I really didn't expect this when I woke up this morning, but I love getting out there and seeing the river (though I keep a safe distance! I don't want to get swept away!)

Anne Gonnella

10:13 am on Thursday, January 31, 2013

I wasn't sleeping well last night thanks to being sick and the tornado watch, so I was listening to the wind. At one point it picked up so much I went to the window to make sure we weren't blowing away. And the rain started DUMPING like I have never seen. There was a wall of water I could barely see through. Luckily we are on a hill well above the river. Great pics, thanks for taking them and reporting.

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Brandie Jefferson

12:00 pm on Thursday, January 31, 2013

Thanks Anne, my house is pretty old and when the winds pick up, it really sounds like we're about to tobble over. Even after a couple of years here, I still get nervous.

Sanchez

12:58 pm on Friday, February 1, 2013

I got turned around this morning and will try that way on the way home. Hope it's open.
I detoured to River Road to Bonnie Branch and then to College Ave and stood on the bridge at the old paper mill for a few minutes listening and watching the fury of the Patapsco. What a site to behold the power of water.

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Jamin geoghegan

1:02 pm on Friday, February 1, 2013

We live right next to the train bridge and have seen so much excitement in the year we've lived here! We love Ellicott City! That river was pumping this morning something fierce! Much worse than Sandy. The only problem was I couldn't feed the ducks from the bridge cause they were nowhere to be found! Rats live on the little island next to the bridge, I guess they're somewhere in Glen Burnie now! This main street town is definitely sturdy. That river could have washed away a mack truck!

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Gina

3:37 pm on Friday, February 1, 2013

Ah I'm so jealous! I would never make it to work on stormy days if I lived next to the river, I would be staring at it all day!!! Hopefully it's still a sight to see this weekend cause I won't have time to check it out tonight!

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