Flash Flood in Maryland, June 19, 1996

More storms continued to develop during the mid and late morning hours in east-central Maryland. Heavy rains from these storms, combined with runoff from earlier events upstream, pushed the Patapsco River out of it's banks along the Howard/Baltimore Co line shortly after noon. For the second time in three days, portions of Baltimore City were flooded, including up to 15 businesses in the Canton district, a low-lying area in the eastern portion of town. Much of the flooding was exacerbated by a poorly filtered storm drainage system. Dozens of people were evacuated. Jones Falls rose 12 feet, but no damage was reported to the Mt. Washington bridge. The most notable problems were along the Patapsco River, where 2 fatalities occurred. The deceased, a young man and woman, were rafting on the river (despite the fact that the area was under a flash flood watch and warning) at approximately 1545EST when the fast current washed them over an earthen dam which catapulted them out of the raft. Other evacuations/rescues were necessary in the Gwynns Falls area along the river between 1200 and 1300EST. Six occupants in a van became trapped in flood waters near the Baltimore Beltway (interstate 695), requiring another rescue.Other roads closed in southern Baltimore Co included the intersection of River and Frederick Road (state route 144), and Cromwell Bridge Road and Manor Road. In Anne Arundel Co, Defense Highway (near Annapolis) was closed due to high standing water. Numerous basements were flooded, as were low-lying neighborhoods especially in Arnold near the Magothy River. Five other county roads were closed as well.