The damage to Stone Avenue businesses devastated by last weekend’s flash flood will take weeks to repair – and recover from, business owners say.
The torrential storm that swept through parts of Greenville County Saturday night dumped 5 to 6 inches of rain downtown, causing Richland Creek and the Reedy River to rise. The Reedy surpassed flood stage – which is 9 feet – in just hours. Several businesses along East Stone Avenue were damaged, including Crescent Cleaners, Park Avenue Pub and Iron Horse Lawyers.
Spero’s Original Pete’s Too was flooded and a natural gas leak triggered an explosion, blowing the walk-in freezer off the back of the building.
Alan Johnson of Crescent Cleaners on East Stone Avenue said the business experienced flooding a decade ago and had taken precautions, installing alarms and alert systems. However, in the 20 minutes it took for owner Fred Sutton to receive the alarm and get to the business, there was little to salvage.
According to the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), East Stone Avenue is in a high-risk area (Special Flood Hazard Area). This designation requires business owners and homeowners with mortgages through federally regulated or insured lenders to have flood insurance, according to NFIP.
Johnson said that the business had taken precautions, but the water rose too quickly as they were responding to the alarm. The compressor and boiler were tossed around and waterlogged. He estimates the damage at more than $100,000, approximately $14,000 of which will be covered by insurance. He said the staff will work together to plan for future floods, but waterproofing the more than 70-year-old building that houses the business will be difficult.
As Sutton worked to clean up in the basement, Johnson said the cleaners were taking in clothing for drop off, but estimated the business would be closed for at least five days while they waited for equipment parts.
Kirk Fisher, owner of Iron Horse Motorcycle Lawyers, estimated his damages at nearly $60,000. Inside his office, a converted garage, his 1962 Triumph convertible sports car and Harley-Davidson motorcycle were under water and his 3,000-pound trailer floated about 200 feet down the street. Fisher, who rents the space, thought the owner had flood insurance, but turns out he did not. The auto and motorcycle are covered, but the building contents aren’t, he said.
The biggest loss for him, he said, were client files that were either “washed away or waterlogged.” He expects the business to be closed for at least a week. Fisher didn’t have an emergency fund, but “had a good year and cash flow is good” and will help pay for damages, he said.
As far as planning for the future, Fisher said he will obtain the correct insurance and may consider relocating because he expects the flooding can happen again. He also is investigating a digital off-site backup for client files and raising paper up above the potential flood level.
Tim Rosemond, owner of Signature Bar and Lounge just off Ashmore Street and close to the banks of Richland Creek, estimated the flood damage to his basement space at “$10,000, easy.”
The water was more than four feet deep in the lower level. Furniture and equipment had been moved out and arranged behind the building. Rosemond had not had any flooding issues at his business in 20 years, he said.
He plans to reopen the upstairs space right away, but predicts the basement will take at least two weeks to clean up.
Rosemond said he didn’t have flood insurance, just renter’s insurance. “My wife is checking up on flood insurance today,” he said Monday.
