When Catastrophe Strikes Twice: How the Ellicott City, Maryland, Flood of 2018 Was Not a Repeat of the 2016 Flood

For the second time in less than two years, the community of Ellicott City, Maryland was devastated by a flash flood on 27 May 2018. Initial pictures of the flooding on social media were so similar to the 30 July 2016 flood that some questioned why old pictures were being reposted.

While images of the resulting destruction were rather similar, the way the 2018 flood developed and occurred was substantially different from the 2016 event, not just in a meteorology or hydrology sense, but also in a preparedness and action sense.

This study will compare and contrast the two events from all angles, utilizing rainfall and stream gage data, along with video footage and eyewitness accounts. Additionally, the study will focus on the concept of two extreme events occurring in this community in such a short period of time – are there reasons, or is it simply bad luck?