Flash Floods Topple Buildings In Maryland, Wash Away Dozens Of Cars (Photos)

Roaring flash floods that struck a Maryland city have toppled buildings, swept away dozens of cars and turned streets into raging rivers that reached as high as six feet. Dramatic footage and photos showed the sudden and violent floodwaters surging through Ellicott City, about 13 miles outside of Baltimore, on Sunday as torrential rain soaked much of the state. The National Weather Service issued a flash flood emergency for the city late in the afternoon and Maryland Governor Larry Hogan declared a state of emergency soon after. 'This is a catastrophic and life-threatening extremely dangerous situation,' the weather alert warned.

Water rushes through Main Street in Ellicott City on Sunday as it swept away multiple vehicles.

Authorities started to carry out water rescues in the streets with one fire department receiving dozens of calls on Sunday. Authorities urged residents to seek higher ground immediately and people were being warned to avoid downtown Ellicott City