ESTEVAN - About half of the businesses in the 1100 and 1200 blocks of Fourth Street that are part of the Estevan Downtown Business Association (DBA) were damaged by the deluge of rain that occurred during a severe thunderstorm late Wednesday and early Thursday.
Estevan DBA president Laurel Buck said the businesses suffered damage from sewer, water and mud. She noted that at her business, A&A Jewellery, the water came up about 3 1/2 feet in the basement. Other locations had an inch of water, and others didn't have any damage.
Buck isn't sure why some businesses were hit harder than others.
"At this time, we still don't have a lot of answers," said Buck.
Businesses have been calling their insurance companies, restoration firms, and the City of Estevan and ASL Paving, which is the general contractor for the ongoing downtown revitalization project.
When she arrived at A&A at 7:30 a.m. Thursday, the water had receded to about 1 1/2 inches. She wasn't expecting to see water when she arrived.
Buck estimates the damaged inventory from the flood to be worth $75,000.
She said people have been very supportive since the flood occurred. Buck stressed that she and other owners of businesses in the DBA aren't blaming the city or the revitalization project for what happened.
"I think it's probably a lot to do with bad timing in the weather, and the sewer mains had to be done regardless, so it's not the downtown revitalization's issue or fault. I've heard a lot of that, and that's not where we're coming from with the Downtown Business Association."
