Body of missing guardsman found in river after Maryland flood

May 29 (UPI) -- Searchers found the body of a 39-year-old National Guard member who was swept away while trying to rescue people during violent floods in Maryland's Ellicott City, police said Tuesday.

Howard County Police confirmed the body of Sgt. Eddison Hermond was found in the Patapsco River across the Baltimore County line.

Maryland National Guard Col. Charles Kohler told The Baltimore Sun that Hermond joined the Maryland Army National Guard in 2009 after serving active duty in the Air Force for more than a decade.

Hermond, of Severn, was reported missing Monday after floodwaters on Sunday swept through Ellicott City, destroying everything in its path.

Kate Bowman, owner of a local café, said Hermond was trying to help her when he disappeared into the flood waters.

With water at waist level, Bowman, 41, said she grabbed her cat and escaped from the window of her flooded shop.

"I could barely see anything and I could barely hear anything" because the waters were so loud, Bowman told The Baltimore Sun. "He stepped over the ledge to try to get to me, and he was washed away."

On Tuesday, residents, business owners and officials in Ellicott City examined the devastation left behind, the second time the historic mill town has been flooded in less than two years.

The storm dumped several inches of rain, sending tributaries over their banks as the water rushed toward the Patapsco River. Emergency crews responded to 1,100 calls and about 300 people were rescued.

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan declared a state of emergency on Monday after flash flooding ripped through the city, overturning vehicles and submerging the first floor of businesses.

Utility workers were trying to restore power and fix broken sewer pipes Tuesday. A crane tow truck was brought in to lift cars that were tossed on their sides and upside down in streams and along roadways.