Howard County will put $3.8 million toward flood remediation projects to prevent potential future flooding in Ellicott City, which saw a catastrophic flash flood in July that killed two people.
Six projects announced by Howard County Executive Allan H. Kittleman on Wednesday will help rebuild retaining walls and stabilize stream banks. Some of the projects could begin by the end of this year and be done by summer 2017, officials said.
"It's a quality of life issue for those who live here," Kittleman said in a statement, "and I am committed to making sure we move forward with these critical projects to strengthen our infrastructure for future storm events."
On July 30, six inches of rain fell in less than two hours, sending torrents of water through Ellicott City's Main Street and destroying businesses and homes. Two people were killed in the flood. Main Street formally reopened last week.
The $3.8 million includes a $1.7 million federal grant from the Natural Resources Conservation Services, which will help repair walls damaged by the flash flood. Funds will also go to clearing debris from the Hudson Stream channel.
The county will also stabilize a stream bank along Longview Drive in the Valley Mede community that eroded significantly in the storm. That project is expected to begin in 2017 and be complete in late 2017 or early 2018.
Other funds will go toward reconstructing a retaining wall between parking lots E and F, a stream wall behind Precious Gifts near Old Columbia Pike and a stream wall at the Ellicott Mills Brewing Company near Court Avenue.