A series of projects are underway to prevent a repeat of the devastating flash floods in Ellicott City – CBS Baltimore

ELLICOTT CITY, Md. (WJZ) – A new retaining pond, soon to be built, is part of a series of projects that officials hope will prevent another devastating flood from flooding the old Ellicott City.

The devastating flash floods in 2016 and 2018 demonstrated how vulnerable the city of Ellicott is in terms of geography and neighboring developments. A pair of deadly ‘thousand-year storms’ carrying millions of gallons of floodwater are racing down the main street.

READ MORE: Indictment documents say player Evelyn died to protect herself, police found suspect through DNA

The Quaker Mill Reservoir is another step in the plan to prevent a similar flood.

County Executive Calvin Ball said climate change means the city needs to prepare.

“Our storms are getting more frequent and more intense,” he said.

Once completed, the pond will have the capacity to hold more than three million gallons of rainwater and release it slowly when the danger has passed.

READ MORE: Baltimore Man, 62, charged with murder of player Evelyn

The process continues at the first of the ponds, called ‘H-7.’ It will be completed by the end of next year.

“These two things will make a difference, but our work is not done yet,” Ball said.

Another storage facility — this one even larger — is planned about a mile west, off Frederick Street on the other side of 29th Street. It is currently in the design phase.

“Projects like this are helping us get rid of the idea that (old Ellicott City) will flood again,” said Chris Pineda of Ellicott City Partners.

MORE NEWS: Mervo High School Soccer Wins First National Championship After Teammate Elijah Gorham’s Death

The ponds are located on the outskirts of Old Ellicott City, but several projects in the town are complete, such as a new sewer system at the top of Main Street, equipped with cameras to show real-time conditions during storms.