State of Emergency Extended In Ellicott City Until September 20
ELLICOTT CITY, Md. (WJZ)—Ellicott City Council has decided to extend the state of emergency until September 20, after flood waters swept through historic Main Street killing two people.
The state of emergency was declared by County Executive Allan Kittleman on July 30th, and has already been extended once before, but needed city council's decision to stay in effect until September 20th.
Thirty-eight days later the work on Ellicott City's Main City hasn't stopped.
This charming town, with deeply-rooted history was nearly swept away just a little more than five weeks ago.
Overwhelming of rain gushed down into the valley like a river -- the force of the water threw cars like toys and lifting some buildings off their foundations.
A state of emergency extension will keep the roads closed and allow crews to continue bringing in big equipment to inspect buildings and fix vital utility lines.
"BGE is still repairing and putting in new gas lines all the way down Main Street. We are working on water lines. Every time they open some area they find that there's some more water lines that have been damaged," said Kittleman.
For many, rebuilding these gutted historic structures is a daunting task.
Just one week ago, Preservation Maryland and the county announced plans to create a one-stop resource center to help business bounce back.
"Its history, its character, its charm is a part of this place and it wouldn't be Ellicott City moving forward if that history and character weren't a part of its future," said Nicholas Redding, Executive Director, with Preservation Maryland.
The extension will help business owners like Kelli Myers, who worries that opening up the street too soon mike spell trouble.
"If there's still stuff that needs to be done I'd rather it be safe than having people just coming in and just cause they want to see the damage," she said.
Officials are aiming to have the street opened to pedestrian traffic by September 16th.
