Yeah it is the cowl cover or valance. If that car is like other fords there also may be a problem with the piece that deflects water over the air intake/cabin air filter that is under that cover. The water then runs down the intake (through the filter at the top if there is one) and pools in the fan cage housing. It will eventually rust the parts of the fan and causes serious mold problems both in the air system and under the carpet. The carpet will appear to be dry but the padding under the carpet will actually be very wet and grow all sorts of nasty stuff. The padding usually must be removed to dry and/or be replaced. I just threw the padding away.
The reason the deflector piece tends to break is that it is made of fragile plastic that is quite thin at one place where it curves. The end can break off which then dumps water directly into the intake. If there is a filter, lazy people at some shops do not take the time to remove the deflector carefully (or at all - it takes time to remove the 2 screws) when replacing the filter and break that deflector, sometimes referred to as a top-hat.
Again, I am not familiar with your exact model of ford but if the design and/or parts have been carried from some of the other ford cars, you could have the exact scenario described above.
Good Luck,
S
