For the second time in two years, Main Street in Ellicott City has been transformed into a raging river as a result of thunderstorms unloading torrential rain. The National Weather Service issued a flash-flood emergency for the city at 4:40 p.m. Sunday and reported water rescues underway.

“This is an EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND POTENTIALLY CATASTROPHIC situation,” the National Weather Service warned. Sunday’s flooding unfolded in a similar way to the 2016 flash flood in which six inches of rain fell in two hours and two people died.

[Crews rescuing people as torrential floods hit Ellicott City]

Radar suggests that more than eight inches of rain has fallen around Ellicott City and Catonsville. A weather station in Catonsville registered nearly 13 inches of rain in just three hours Sunday afternoon.

The flash-flood emergency in Ellicott City was originally in effect until 7:30 p.m., but was extended to 10:30 p.m. Another emergency warning was issued for locations along the Patapsco River in Anne Arundel, Howard and Baltimore counties around 6 p.m., where gauge reports indicated that a major flash flood was occurring.

Officials are urging that anyone in the area seek higher ground and not to drive on flooded roads.

**PLEASE RETWEET**
If you are in the downtown Ellicott City area or know of family/friends who live there: Please AVOID the downtown area. If you are in a vehicle – DO NOT DRIVE THROUGH FLOOD WATER. Turn Around, Don't Drown.

— Maryland Emergency Management Agency (MDMEMA) (@MDMEMA) May 27, 2018

Just to the south of Ellicott City, radar indicated that as much as seven to eight inches had fallen — which is an incredible amount of rain in such a short time.

Strong thunderstorms have formed and reformed in the zone between Ellicott City and Baltimore, unloading extreme rainfall in a process known as training. Flooding also has been reported in downtown Baltimore and Columbia.

Atmospheric moisture levels — near record-high levels — have fueled the onslaught of storms.

Here are some photos and video. Please note that these videos are unedited and contain foul language.

Picked a hell of a day to visit Ellicott City, MD. This is real.

A post shared by Craig Patrick (@giantsofdiving) on May 27, 2018 at 1:30pm PDT

It’s happening all over again. Main Street in @EllicottCity with devastating flooding. @CairnsKcairns @FOXBaltimore @wbaltv11 @wjz video courtesy my sister Kali Harris. (Explicit language) #EllicottCity #Maryland pic.twitter.com/IuwBRyPRzW

— Jeremy Harris (@JeremyHarrisTV) May 27, 2018

no smarmy comment

A post shared by Sameera Mukhtar (@sameeramukhtar) on May 27, 2018 at 1:54pm PDT

In case it’s not clear yet, stay away from Main Street. Please. pic.twitter.com/FO1HFpYqMo

— Libby Solomon (@libsolomon) May 27, 2018

Main Street #EllicottCity flooding. pic.twitter.com/crYP74go08

— Libby Solomon (@libsolomon) May 27, 2018