Elkridge Today: August 27

Gov. Martin O’Malley in preparing for the storm projected to pummel the eastern seaboard with heavy rains and which for 500,000 residents.

As of 9 a.m. Saturday, the storm was 290 miles south of Washington, D.C., according to the National Weather Service (NWS).

Hurricane Irene is projected to sweep through the mid-Atlantic today, according to the NWS, which issued a flash flood watch for Howard County Saturday afternoon.

Closings and postponements

• Howard County Public Schools facilities and fields will be closed on Saturday, Aug. 27, and Sun., August 28. The for Monday, Aug. 29, but officials will update families on Sunday evening.
• Patapsco Valley and most other state parks will be closed Aug. 27 and Aug. 28. Campers must vacate the campground by sunset Friday with all of their equipment and belongings. Full refunds will be automatically processed for all reservations during the closure. Find more info online. 
• Gov. Martin O'Malley said in a statement Friday that the Chesapeake  early Saturday evening.
• At BWI Airport, some airlines are allowing passengers to change their travel plans without penalty, according to Baltimore Business Journal. For information on a particular flight, check BWI's website.

If you know of other cancellations, post them in the comments section or on the Elkridge Patch Facebook page. Stay safe!

Ellicott City Patch editor Brandie Jefferson contributed to the reporting of this article.