Southern Maryland flooding: Up to 14 inches fall in St. Mary's County
The southern tip of Southern Maryland, especially St. Mary's County, was the hardest hit by heavy rainfall on Wednesday and Thursday.
The National Weather Service reports some areas received up to 14 inches of rain in about 20 hours. That amount of rain is usually recorded in a three to four month period, according to ABC 7 Meteorologist Alex Liggitt.
The effects were easily visible. McIntosh Creek in Leonardtown has seen flooding before, but locals say it has never been this bad.
"It just kept coming," said Mock Mattingly. "We were in that direct path. We took the brunt of that storm."
The high water stranded Mattingly's sister Laura on the family farm. She says she doesn't dare try to drive out.
A bit down stream, Hal Beckler is not in a laughing mood. His construction equipment is just beginning to emerge as the water recedes.
"Nobody had any idea that the water was going to get that high," Beckler said. "Everything is going to need to be drained -- all the oils. Hopefully it'll dry out and we'll see what works and what don't."
The water stopped just before the door of one Leonardtown antique shop. Its neighbors weren't so lucky as the water remained several feet deep all around the building for most of the day.
"I'm just amazed, this is incredible," said Sandy Wollard. "I've never seen anything like this."
A little farther down Route 5 in Great Mills, the water had mostly receded by mid-morning, but the damage is done. The water's history was written in a line stretching across the wall's of Gary Long's store.
"There's a water line around the whole store inside, two feet," Long said. "It's a pretty hard blow. We're a small business so its kind of hard on us."
Farther north, the storm caused a big sinkhole to open up on Gambrills Road near sleep hollow road in Severn, in Anne Arundel County, Maryland.
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