STATE OF EMERGENCY: Heavy Flooding in Howard County

HOWARD COUNTY, MD -- WBFF -- Howard County officials are urging people to stay off of the roads due to heavy flooding in the area.

Just before 7pm, Governor Larry Hogan declared a State of Emergency.

Howard County Fire and EMS say that there are multiple rescues in progress due to flooding in the area.

People are told to avoid downtown Ellicott City. The County Executive is asking people to stay away and not come to observe damage at this time.

If you are trapped in a building on Main Street, officials tell the public to climb to the second floor and shelter in place. Rescuers will come.

People are also being told to stay home.

There has been standing water reported on Routes 29 and 100.

Howard County Government tweeted that Main Street is suffering flooding on the scale of the July 30, 2016 storm.

Emergency operations are open. Due to a gas leak, the West End of Main Street was evacuated.

People who need shelter can go to Roger Carter Community Center.

The County Executive, Allan Kittleman told reporters there weren't any reports of missing people or fatalities.