Flooding puts a wet blanket on businesses

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The heavy rain on April 30 and overnight into May 1 did what such rains often do, force the Brandywine Creek to spill its banks and flood Routes 1 and 926.

Crossing the creek into or out of Chadds Ford Township was not an easy task for the impatient. Getting into Chadds Ford from Kennett Square took two-and-a-half hours that Thursday morning and at least two motorists had to be rescued Wednesday night when they stalled out crossing through the flooded intersection at Route 1. They were cited for ignoring the roadblock signs.

While the roadways opened up later in the day Thursday, businesses in the area were down for a lot longer.

Leader’s Sunoco faired the best. While there was flooding at the station, Jim Leader and his team got everything cleaned up that afternoon and were ready to pump gas again the following morning. Leader said they could re-open Thursday, but they were out of gas and the flooding prevented the fuel trucks from getting to him Thursday when they were scheduled.

Hank’s Place was shut down for two days, but other businesses were suffering into the first part of this week.

The little strip mall with the U.S. Post Office, Bryn Mawr Trust Bank and Fellini’s was hit hard. Basement flooding caused power and phone outages and portable toilets had to be brought in because wastewater was backing up, one source said.

The Post Office was without computers, phone or scales into Monday as was the bank. Bryn Mawr Trust account holders could make deposits, however, though the bank was without computers, power and Internet service.

On the other side of Leader’s, the Environmental Management Center of the Brandywine Conservancy was uninhabitable. Basement flooding zapped the electricity and knocked out the furnace.

Director of Public Relations Hillary Holland said the power panel was replaced and as of Tuesday morning, they were just waiting for PEO to give the go-ahead for the building to be powered up.

Holland also said there had been some apprehension regarding the annual Native Plant Sale set for this weekend. Some of the plants were washed away, but she said most were recovered and the inventory shows no significant loss.

Photo: Route 1 at Creek Road is shut down due to flooding. As the song says "Same as it ever was."

About Rich Schwartzman

Rich Schwartzman has been reporting on events in the greater Chadds Ford area since September 2001 when he became the founding editor of The Chadds Ford Post. In April 2009 he became managing editor of ChaddsFordLive. He is also an award-winning photographer.

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