ELLICOTT CITY, Md. (AP) - After the second flash flood in less than two years ripped apart an historic Maryland mill town, hundreds of residents and business owners are again asking themselves: "Should I stay or should I go?"
Some business owners in centuries-old Ellicott City say they're determined to rebuild from Sunday's flood that raged through downtown streets of quaint shops and historic buildings. Their hope: to pull together as a community again after the second terrible flood.
Business owners in Ellicott City, Maryland, say they are determined to rebuild and pull together as a community again after the second terrible flood in less than two years.
Simon Cortes, owner of La Palapa Grill & Cantina, said Monday it's "a horrible time," and his business had about 1 foot (0.3 meter) of water inside. But he says the town has been through it before.
He says he has a lot of friends there, and he feels "like it's our duty to make sure that we rebuild and open back up."
Randy Marriner, who owns the Manor Hill Tavern, says he hopes to be one of the first businesses to reopen and "be a bright light to our brothers and sisters in Ellicott City." However, the man still missing from the flood is a former employee of his.
Marriner says he's heartsick that Eddison Hermond is missing.
Floodwaters have since receded, revealing mud, crumpled cars and splintered building facades in Ellicott City's quaint historic district.
One man is still missing after being swept away by the waters. And locals are facing yet another massive cleanup and potentially daunting economic losses like those suffered in the 2016 flooding disaster that claimed two lives.
