The valley is prone to periodic flooding . Modern floods include the 1868 flood that washed away 14 houses and killed 39 people around Ellicott City . A 1923 flood topped bridges while in 1952 , an eight-foot wall of water swept the shops of Ellicott City . A 1956 flood inflicted heavy damage at the Bartigis Brothers plant . In 1972 , as a result of rainfall from the remnants of Hurricane Agnes , Ellicott City and the Old Main Line sustained serious damage . The July 2016 Maryland flood ravaged Main Street leaving two dead , followed just two years later by a flash flood on May 27 , 2018 that took the life of one rescuer
2016 Maryland flood
2016 Maryland flood
Patapsco River