US Rep Elijah Cummings nowhere to be seen in Ellicott City following flood disaster

[Anonymous]

Apparently he had better things to do than see about the needs of his constituents in a town that has been destroyed twice now in less than two years.

Cardin and VanHollen somehow managed to find the time to get there, but Cummings was just too busy, I suppose.


Pathetic

[Anonymous]

You want him to come fill sand bags?

[Anonymous]

Frankly, I don't think Cardin or VanHollen should have been there yet. There is still active flooding and rescue efforts underway, there is nothing elected officials can learn right now from a visit that they can't learn from a briefing, and nothing they can do to help with their physical presence. They should get out of the way and let first responders do their jobs instead of using it as a press op.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You want him to come fill sand bags?

A little late for sandbags. But showing up would've been fine. This is his district.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Frankly, I don't think Cardin or VanHollen should have been there yet. There is still active flooding and rescue efforts underway, there is nothing elected officials can learn right now from a visit that they can't learn from a briefing, and nothing they can do to help with their physical presence. They should get out of the way and let first responders do their jobs instead of using it as a press op.

I was working in Ellicott City all day today. There is NO active flooding going on. Just devastation and destruction everywhere. And a lot of people who are walking around shell shocked in disbelief.

This is exactly the time they need to be seeing and hearing from the people they vote for. Not tomorrow, not next week, and not at a campaign event next month.

Now.

[Anonymous]

Your stupid mayor was on the news tonight saying that ‘we’ve done all we can, floods are going to happen’

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Frankly, I don't think Cardin or VanHollen should have been there yet. There is still active flooding and rescue efforts underway, there is nothing elected officials can learn right now from a visit that they can't learn from a briefing, and nothing they can do to help with their physical presence. They should get out of the way and let first responders do their jobs instead of using it as a press op.

I was working in Ellicott City all day today. There is NO active flooding going on. Just devastation and destruction everywhere. And a lot of people who are walking around shell shocked in disbelief.

This is exactly the time they need to be seeing and hearing from the people they vote for. Not tomorrow, not next week, and not at a campaign event next month.

Now.

There were freaking cadaver dogs in the streets today. Maybe we can at least them find the bodies before some politician steps on one trying to get his photo op.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Your stupid mayor was on the news tonight saying that ‘we’ve done all we can, floods are going to happen’

He's right, actually.

They'll keep happening because they've paved so much of the watershed above the old city. Long term, Ellicott City shouldn't be there. Because this will keep happening. There's just no way to deal with that volume of water.

They need to buy property owners out and raze much of the town in the flood channel along Main Street. Turn it into something else. But it can't be a town anymore.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Frankly, I don't think Cardin or VanHollen should have been there yet. There is still active flooding and rescue efforts underway, there is nothing elected officials can learn right now from a visit that they can't learn from a briefing, and nothing they can do to help with their physical presence. They should get out of the way and let first responders do their jobs instead of using it as a press op.

I was working in Ellicott City all day today. There is NO active flooding going on. Just devastation and destruction everywhere. And a lot of people who are walking around shell shocked in disbelief.

This is exactly the time they need to be seeing and hearing from the people they vote for. Not tomorrow, not next week, and not at a campaign event next month.

Now.

There were freaking cadaver dogs in the streets today. Maybe we can at least them find the bodies before some politician steps on one trying to get his photo op.

What photo op?

The cops won't even let reporters or camera crews into the town. The politicians could walk up and down Main Street naked and no one would ever see it. There is NO photo op because there is NO media here. They're all being kept outside the town where they can't see anything. It's like a news blackout.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Frankly, I don't think Cardin or VanHollen should have been there yet. There is still active flooding and rescue efforts underway, there is nothing elected officials can learn right now from a visit that they can't learn from a briefing, and nothing they can do to help with their physical presence. They should get out of the way and let first responders do their jobs instead of using it as a press op.

Were they there? I agree. I work for local politicians and was involved in their hindering disaster recovery efforts several years ago. (Not Howard County). Politicians often logistically get in the way during a crisis like this. They often demand special briefings, etc. from first responders and aren’t satisfied waiting to hear things from the designated public information officer. They often give WRONG information to constituents on site. Because they are not professional emergency responders. Not saying that’s what happened here. But honestly, politicians are the last people emergency responders need at a disaster site. Please wait to get briefed like everyone else.

[Anonymous]

Hooey. It's about showing up.

Cardin and VanHollen aren't some kind of neophytes on the county school school board - they're United States Senators. If they decide it's prudent to make time out of their day and go up there to see things and talk to affected people, then it's appropriate. Cummings should've taken that as his cue that he needed to be there as well. Except he is so arrogant that he thought he didn't need to. He sent some lackey from his staff, who no one knew.

Even the Govenor showed up last night, right after it happened. Cummings is the only one yet to make an appearance.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Your stupid mayor was on the news tonight saying that ‘we’ve done all we can, floods are going to happen’

He's right, actually.

They'll keep happening because they've paved so much of the watershed above the old city. Long term, Ellicott City shouldn't be there. Because this will keep happening. There's just no way to deal with that volume of water.

They need to buy property owners out and raze much of the town in the flood channel along Main Street. Turn it into something else. But it can't be a town anymore.

I am confused.Wouldnt it make more sense to buy out and raze the homes in the watershed ABOVE the old city? Why raze the historic areas and keep the modern sprawl?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Your stupid mayor was on the news tonight saying that ‘we’ve done all we can, floods are going to happen’

What mayor? Ellicott City doesn't have a mayor. Do you mean the county executive?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Your stupid mayor was on the news tonight saying that ‘we’ve done all we can, floods are going to happen’

What mayor? Ellicott City doesn't have a mayor. Do you mean the county executive?

The pp was just another example of people rambling on about something they know nothing about. Don't complain about politicians in a place you don't live and vote.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Your stupid mayor was on the news tonight saying that ‘we’ve done all we can, floods are going to happen’

He's right, actually.

They'll keep happening because they've paved so much of the watershed above the old city. Long term, Ellicott City shouldn't be there. Because this will keep happening. There's just no way to deal with that volume of water.

They need to buy property owners out and raze much of the town in the flood channel along Main Street. Turn it into something else. But it can't be a town anymore.

Where is this insane amount of paving? Downtown Ellicott City is surrounded by undeveloped land on Google Maps. There appears to be very little asphalt coverage, lots of open land...take a look: https://goo.gl/maps/LAueNjc9WTQ2

It certainly is NOT a high degree of density surrounding the old town.

I think the issue is that the ground is so waterlogged from the week of rain we got before this last big storm. And then this storm dropped another 8" in only a few hours. The ground and rivers were already filled. Plus, all the water channels downward into the valley.