Baltimore community devastated after ‘once every 1,000-year’ flooding, had two of them in two years

Flash flooding has caused major damage in Baltimore, sending cars floating down streets.

Key points:
Authorities aren’t aware of any fatalities or missing people
In July 2016, Ellicott City received 17 centimetres of rain over a two-to-three-hour period
Only two weeks ago the state and county was awarded over $US1 million for flood prevention
After floods caused chaos in the Main Street of historic Ellicott City, Maryland, local officials said they were heartbroken to see the community so severely damaged again less than two years after a devastating flood killed two people and caused millions in damages.

As the flood waters receded late on Sunday (local time), officials were just beginning the grim task of assessing the destruction.

During an evening news conference, Howard County executive Allan Kittleman said authorities were not aware of any fatalities or missing people.

But first responders and rescue officials were still going through the muddied, damaged downtown, conducting safety checks and ensuring people evacuated.

Mr Kittleman said the damage was significant and appeared to him to be worse than the flooding two summers ago.

He said residents and business owners “are faced with the same daunting task again”.

“We will be there for them as we were in 2016,” he said.

via Baltimore community devastated after ‘once every 1,000-year’ flooding – ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)