Eddison Alexander Hermond, 39, is missing after flash floods swept Ellicott City, Md. on Sunday night (May 27).
According to The Washington Post, the active Army National Guardsman was last seen at 5:20 p.m. in the parking lot of a restaurant in downtown Ellicott City as he was trying to help rescue people.
The Ellicott City Patch reports that several rescue teams from across the state came to the historic mill town to save people trapped in buildings.
“When I heard what happened, I just knew as soldiers we just react,” Staff Sgt. Shawn Gates says. “We don’t think, and at that time, he reacted. It wasn’t about the water. He knew somebody needed help, and he knew he would be the one to go out there and give it his best.”
Several abandoned cars, broken tree branches, and other debris still litter the streets. It is still unclear how much damage and loss of life have been caused by the flooding. This is considered the worst flood since 2016 that claimed two lives.
In a statement, Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan declared a state of emergency following the damage from Sunday night’s torrential downpour, which “will allow the state to efficiently coordinate support and provide additional assistance to local jurisdictions experiencing flooding conditions.”
Per his friends, Hermond, of Severn, Md., is 6 feet tall, 160 pounds with an athletic build. If you have any information about his whereabouts, please call 911.