Significant flash flooding struck the mountain area of western Maryland at the state’s border with West Virginia this week. The flooding prompted several rescues at area schools and homes, and even flooded a fire station.
Severe weather
While most of the area received 1 to 2 inches of rain, 5 inches fell in the George’s Creek area of Allegany County, Maryland. The cascading water caused multiple emergencies that required a coordinated effort among first responders from all over the region.
I want to reiterate that while 5 inches of rain may not seem consequential to those of us who are accustomed to prolonged downpours, heavy rain flowing into steep mountain river valleys over the span of just 2 hours amplifies the impact and creates downstream effects that spell disaster for anyone caught in the surge.
The National Weather Service had issued a flash flood watch for Maryland, West Virginia, Pennsylvania and Virginia, and a flash flood emergency was later declared in Westernport, Maryland.
Schools evacuated
Allegany County Department of Emergency Services Director Roger Bennett provided an update on the ongoing response operations. This has already been a multi-day event, and some residents who were or are cut off from vehicle access have remained in their homes despite emergency responders’ encouragement to evacuate.
Students and teachers from three Allegany County schools were evacuated due to rising waters.
- Westernport Elementary: About 200 students and faculty members were evacuated by motorized boats to a nearby church.
- George’s Creek Elementary: Several hundred were evacuated as water encroached on the three sides of the school.
- Westmar Middle School: About 200 students were evacuated in multiple trips of a law enforcement MRAP vehicle to the Goodwill Volunteer Fire Station. Bennett noted that the MRAP got stuck on its way to the middle school and had to winch itself out to keep going. (An MRAP vehicle is a type of high-clearance armored personnel carrier that is designed to withstand blasts.)
While there were interim evacuation points, all students were eventually transported to the family reunification site in neighboring Garrett County at Mountain Ridge High School. The high school ultimately had to be outfitted as an official evacuation center so 21 students could spend the night there, as their parents were cut off by floodwater and unable to get to their kids. The school superintendent stayed with the kids until all could be reunited with their parents by 8:30 a.m. the following day.
Widespread impact
More than 400 rescues were affected from cars, houses, schools and businesses as the torrents of water made their way downstream in George’s Creek toward the Potomac River. Amazingly, there were no injuries to report from the evacuation area in Maryland.
Schools were not the only infrastructure impacted. Bennett explained that the floodwater rooted out water and gas supply lines, causing additional damage and danger. For example, the main water line keeping head pressure on the system for the Douglas Avenue water tank was washed away. This allowed the tank to drain, fully disrupting water supply to the town of Lonaconing, Maryland. Bennett confirmed there was not a breach of the Lonaconing Reservoir.
Officials continue to work on evaluating infrastructure and determining next steps, as it’s too early for restoration.
There was flooding along the Potomac River in West Virginia and Virginia, but not at the scale of Allegany County’s flooding. The widespread rain across the region did result in one fatality when a 12-year-old was washed away by rushing water several hours south in Albermarle County Virginia.
Key takeaways and essential resources
Flash flooding is a poignant reminder to heed watches and warnings issued by the National Weather Service. It is easy to become desensitized to potential effects when nothing happens warning after warning. Those watches and warnings take on even more significance when you live or work in flood-prone areas, especially low-lying or mountainous areas.
The significant rainfall in such a short time frame is always newsworthy in these flood-prone and downslope areas. It is rare, however, to see elementary school evacuations that must be completed by emergency response boats. In this area of largely volunteer fire departments located along the West Virginia border, ensuring there is adequate staffing available at all hours is a constant struggle. Add the specialized nature of swiftwater rescues, and mutual aid becomes essential.
The Allegany County Special Operations Swiftwater Rescue team played a pivotal role in the success of the operation. Swiftwater team resources from Garrett, Washington, Frederick, Howard, and Montgomery counties in Maryland, along with Preston County and the City of Bridgeport, West Virginia, assisted the Allegany County team affect rescues and conduct reconnaissance. The Maryland State Police, Office of the State Fire Marshal, Maryland Natural Resources Police, and the City of Cumberland Police assisted the Allegany County Sheriff with evacuations, rescues and traffic control. EMS was provided by Allegany County EMS while volunteer fire departments response came from Barton Hose Company, Potomac Fire Company No. 2, Goodwill Fire Company of Lonaconing, Midland Fire Company and Shaft Volunteer Fire Department. Immediately neighboring Mineral County, West Virginia, resources were unavailable due to flood responses there.
What’s next
While the rainfall was fast and furious, the evacuations continue days later as roadways and other infrastructure are assessed and repaired. Allegany County Emergency Services personnel are working with responsible parties and officials to get water restored to Lonaconing.
Roadways, gas and water/sewer lines, power supplies and structures will be inspected and prioritized for restoration. As of this writing, schools in Allegany remained closed.
Additional showers and thunderstorms are forecast for this week, which has the potential to challenge restoration efforts. Officials will continue to rely on local and mutual-aid resources as conditions evolve.
Lastly, as the water continues to flow downstream, fire and EMS departments in neighboring areas are already seeing elevated call volumes for rescues and flooding. Agencies in Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, and Washington, D.C., should take heed and use caution in the days ahead.
