WASHINGTON — As Ellicott City deals with devastating flash flooding, another Maryland community is still working to pick up the pieces following severe storms that battered the region this month.
“We’re getting back to normal,” said Michele Bowman, a spokeswoman with the police department in the City of Frederick. “Our parks are starting to reopen.”
Many basements of homes and businesses in the city were flooded as Frederick County got hit with as much 6 inches of rain in the span of three hours on May 15.
First responders had to rescue people who were trapped in their cars and police were forced to close several roads.
“We still have a few businesses that have damage,” said Bowman. “The community is really taking to those businesses and trying to get them up and running.”
Businesses in the city’s downtown area, including Vinyl Acres and Indellibelle, have been getting a financial boost. The community launched GoFundMe pages for them, generating a combined $17,000.
Another organization, the YMCA of Frederick County, has received an outpouring of support after sustaining a huge amount of flood damage.
“We are blessed to work and live in the Frederick community,” said the organization’s CEO Chris Colville. “The response is overwhelming.”
Frederick County Emergency Management has been assessing damage across the area, collecting reports from businesses and homeowners.
Last week, FEMA – along with Maryland’s Emergency Management Agency – toured some of the hard-hit spots to determine whether federal assistance will be needed.
Department of Public Works crews in the city have been picking up flood-damaged items, assisting residents and fixing sinkholes.
“I want to thank our residents and businesses for their cooperation as we worked through the effects of the severe weather,” said Frederick Mayor Michael O’Connor. “Our Public Works and Police departments have worked non-stop to protect the lives, safety, and health of our community, and for that we are also grateful.”
