National Guardsman Goes Missing in Maryland Flood

Rescuers are seeking Eddison Hermond
By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted May 28, 2018 11:43 AM CDT
National Guardsman Goes Missing in Maryland Flood
This undated photo provided by Howard County Police Department shows Eddison Alexander Hermond, who police say went missing in the flooding in historic Ellicott City, Md.   (Howard County Police Department via AP)

One man remained missing after flash flooding tore down historic Main Street in Ellicott City, Maryland, and left a community heartbroken at seeing severe damage less than two years after another devastating flood, the AP reports. Howard County Executive Allan Kittleman said Monday morning that his priorities are finding the missing man and assessing the condition of buildings that house shops, restaurants, and families. "We're certainly making every effort to locate that individual," he said. Howard County police identified him Monday as 39-year-old Severn resident Eddison Hermond, an active member of the Army National Guard.

Hermond was reported missing to police about 12:30am Monday, but has not been seen since about 5:20pm at the height of the flooding, when raging, brown waters ripped through the town. The area remained blocked off Monday, even to residents and business owners, as Kittleman surveyed the debris. "If you look at the devastation and the damage, I would certainly say it's worse than 2016," he said. "We've had areas that were not even damaged at all two years ago terribly damaged this time." At a news conference Sunday night, Kittleman and Gov. Larry Hogan vowed to help people rebuild their lives again. "We will be there for them as we were in 2016," Kittleman said. Hogan promised "every bit of assistance we possibly can."

(More flooding stories.)

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