Flash Flood in Caroline County, Maryland

Repeating thunderstorms with torrential downpours dropped up to around one foot of rain across southern parts of Caroline County. This caused extensive roadway, field and stream flooding. Hardest hit was Federalsburg where 11.5 inches of rain fell. An emergency was declared the morning of the 25th. About 40 people were evacuated along the Marshyhope Creek where the worst flooding occurred. All were permitted to return except for people on the east side of Main Street. Flooding along the Marshyhope Creek destroyed Railroad Avenue and badly damaged the tracks of the Maryland and Delaware Railroad Line. Over a dozen roads were closed in the county including the Central Avenue Bridge in Federalsburg. Three roads were still closed on the 29th. Railroad Avenue was repaired to the point that it was reopened on the 30th. The elementary school in Federalsburg suffered minor damage. Schools were closed throughout the week mainly because of closed roads. The heavy rain caused agricultural damage which ranged from fifteen to forty-five percent losses. The hardest hit crops were cucumbers. Damage also occurred to the wheat crop and early corn and soybean plants drowned. Chicken houses also were flooded. Flooding forced the postponement of the Greensboro Carnival. President George W. Bush declared Caroline and Dorchester Counties a disaster area.