Severe flooding struck several Maryland communities on Thursday following heavy rainstorms, leading to multiple water rescues and road closures, particularly in Harford County’s Joppatowne area. Emergency services, including the Joppa Magnolia Volunteer Fire Company, responded to numerous rescues, with two people saved near Pulaski Highway and Baltimore County line. Despite the flooding, no injuries were reported from these rescues. However, a tragic incident occurred in Mt. Airy where a child drowned after being swept into a drainage pipe. Flooding also disrupted transportation, with Metro trains held at Baltimore’s Falls Road Southbound station and a crash involving an ambulance reported in Joppa.
In preparation for the severe weather, Baltimore City closed summer school programs and city offices early, activated its Emergency Operations Center, and distributed sandbags to residents. Officials urged people to avoid driving through flooded streets as some areas faced closures. Howard County implemented parking restrictions in flood-prone Ellicott City, a community with a history of deadly floods, to protect residents and businesses. These measures reflect ongoing efforts to mitigate flood risks following past severe rain events in the region.
