In July 2016 and again in May 2018 Historic Ellicott City was hit by catastrophic flooding that caused extensive property damage, destroyed infrastructure, and claimed several lives. In May 2019 the Howard County Executive announced the Ellicott City Safe and Sound Flood Mitigation Plan which would serve as a long term plan to minimize the impacts of future large storms on downtown Ellicott City. The plan included numerous large flood control capital projects, enhanced public warning systems, public education, and other items that, when completed, would provide for a safer and more resilient Historic Ellicott City. Many of the Safe and Sound initiatives have already been completed and the rest are in various stages of design. This presentation will provide an update on the many facets of the Ellicott City Safe and Sound Flood Mitigation Plan.

Mark S. Richmond, P.E.  is the Chief of the Stormwater Management Division in the Howard County Department of Public Works. He has worked as a professional engineer in Maryland for 40 years for both a private consulting engineering firm and for County government. Mark earned a BS degree in Civil Engineering from Lafayette College and an MS degree in Environmental Systems Engineering from Clemson University. His main area of expertise is in water resources, specifically leading projects in stream restoration, flood mitigation, stormwater management, and water quality treatment.