WASHINGTON — Rescuers have found the body of the man who went missing in the Ellicott City flood, the Howard County police said.
The Howard County police confirmed on Tuesday that the body found in the Patapsco River was that of Eddison Hermond, 39, of Severn, Maryland, who was last seen at the height of the flooding that tore through Main Street of Ellicott City, Maryland, on Sunday.
He was last seen trying to help a woman behind a restaurant while churning, brown waters ripped through Ellicott City’s flood-prone downtown.
Hermond was last seen Sunday in the area of La Palapa restaurant on Main Street at approximately 5:20 p.m. Witnesses say that Hermond was attempting to help a woman who had escaped through a window with her cat, when he became swept up in the rushing water, according to police.
He was reported missing to police at 12:30 a.m. on Monday.
“There are no words to adequately describe our sense of loss,” said Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan in a statement. “He was a man who dedicated his life in service to others, both in the Air Force and the Maryland National Guard, and again on Sunday night as he bravely risked his life to assist a fellow citizen during the flooding in Ellicott City. Our heartfelt prayers go out to Sergeant Hermond’s family and loved ones.”
Gov. Hogan ordered Maryland flags to fly at half-staff across the state on Monday.
He tweeted just after 8 p.m. saying, “It’s with a heavy heart that I order Maryland flags to fly at half-staff across the state in honor of Sergeant Eddison Hermond. His service to our country, state, and local community will not soon be forgotten. Flags will return to full-staff sunset of the he is laid to rest.”
It’s with a heavy heart that I order Maryland flags to fly at half-staff across the state in honor of Sergeant Eddison Hermond. His service to our country, state, and local community will not soon be forgotten. Flags will return to full-staff sunset of the day he is laid to rest pic.twitter.com/CQ7DGiOEvj
— Governor Larry Hogan (@GovLarryHogan) May 30, 2018
Rescue personnel have been searching buildings and waterways in the area since the flood and there have been no other reports of missing people, according to police.
The damage happens less than two years after business owners and residents were rebuilding from another massive flood that hit the area.
#HoCoPolice have confirmed that the body of Eddison Alexander Hermond, 39, who went missing during the Ellicott City flood, was found by searchers today in the Patapsco River, just across the Baltimore County line #ECFlood https://t.co/Oqy4mHnuH9
— Howard County Police (@HCPDNews) May 29, 2018
