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Maryland flash flooding: Incredible images show historic Ellicott City ravaged by floodwaters

Click to play video: 'Maryland flash floods carry away vehicles as waters rush through historic town'
Maryland flash floods carry away vehicles as waters rush through historic town
WATCH ABOVE: Maryland flash floods wash away vehicles as waters rush through historic town – May 28, 2018

Flash flooding in Maryland engulfed historic Main Street in Ellicott City on Sunday, leaving at least one person unaccounted for in a community that was devastated by flooding less than two years ago.

Officials declared a state of emergency in the Baltimore suburb Sunday after heavy rain and flash flooding turned the streets of Ellicott City into fast-moving rivers.

“It’s really, truly devastating. I would say it’s as bad or worse than the storm two years ago,” Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan said at a news conference Sunday.

WATCH: Search continues for missing man after trying to help woman find cat during Maryland flash flood
Click to play video: 'Search continues for man missing after trying to help woman find cat during Maryland flash flood'
Search continues for man missing after trying to help woman find cat during Maryland flash flood

Video shows brown water rushing down Main Street, washing away vehicles and light standards and sending residents to higher ground.

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Howard County Fire and EMS reported buildings had collapsed as a result of the floodwaters and first-floor levels of multiple buildings were submerged.

“They say this is a once-every-1,000-years flood, and we’ve had two of them in two years,” Hogan said.

The city had been in the process of rebuilding since the 2016 flood that destroyed or damaged much of the historic downtown. Local officials recently said 96 per cent of the businesses were back in operation and more than 20 new businesses had opened in the Main Street area. According to the Baltimore Sun, two people were killed during the floods, and cost the “mill town tens of millions of dollars in damage and lost business.”

WATCH: ‘Once in a 1,000 years’: Maryland community hit with major flash flood

Howard County police reported one man missing as a result of the flood and officials were still search Monday.

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“Praying for the brave veteran who has been reported missing following yesterday’s terrible flooding in Ellicott City. My heartfelt thanks to all those assisting in the search,” the governor tweeted.

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According to the National Weather Service, over 210 millimetres of rain was recorded just before 9 p.m., most of which fell in a two-hour time span. Flash flood warnings were extended through the evening.

WATCH: Emergency issued after major flash flood in Maryland
Click to play video: 'Emergency issued after major flash flood in Maryland'
Emergency issued after major flash flood in Maryland

Here’s a look at the devastation caused by the flash floods.

Residents gather by a bridge to look at cars left crumpled in one of the tributaries of the Patapsco River that burst its banks as it channeled through historic Main Street in Ellicott City, Md., Monday, May 28, 2018. AP Photo/David McFadden
Rescue personnel walk along Main Street in Ellicott City, Md., Sunday, May 27, 2018. Libby Solomon/The Baltimore Sun via AP
Water rushes through Main Street in Ellicott City, Md., Sunday, May 27, 2018. Libby Solomon/The Baltimore Sun via AP
A damaged vehicle swept away by floodwaters stopped by a utility pole in Ellicott City, Md., Sunday, May 27, 2018. Libby Solomon/The Baltimore Sun via AP
Rescuers work to free people trapped upstairs at a record store during torrential rain that caused flash floods along Main Street May 27, 2018 in Ellicott City, MD. Katherine Frey/The Washington Post via Getty Images
Water rushes through Main Street in Ellicott City, Md., Sunday, May 27, 2018. Kenneth K. Lam/The Baltimore Sun via AP
Floodwaters rush through part of Ellicott City, Md., Sunday, May 27, 2018. Kenneth K. Lam/The Baltimore Sun via AP
A parked car flooded in a lot near Main Street and Ellicott Mills Road as a heavy storm caused flash floods in Ellicott City, Md., Sunday, May 27, 2018. Kenneth K. Lam/The Baltimore Sun via AP
Main Street is a raging river during a torrential downpour that lasted hours May 27, 2018 in Ellicott City, MD. Katherine Frey/The Washington Post via Getty Images

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