Flood waters invade Center Point flower shop

Floodwater rose over the Apple Creek and swamped one woman's flower shop.

“The creek back here started coming up, and it came up real quick, and we ended up with six inches of water on the floor,” said Judy Parizek, after a flash flood devastated Center Point Floral and Gifts, 600 Franklin St.

Parizek stripped the shop's hardwood flooring after the morning rush of water damaged it. Her husband and one of her employees were helping her clean up near dusk. They set aside a pile of rubbish that was ready to be hauled away by a private dumpster company. She was intent on getting her business back up and running by next week.

“Every day I'm closed, I'm short on money,” she said, as she surveyed the damage to her shop.

Parizek said she had flood insurance and hoped it would cover the destruction that came when the creek came rushing in. The creek is about 100 feet from the shop.

Across Center Point, the impact of the early Tuesday morning storm was still being felt by residents. Mayor Mona Barz declared a water restriction until 9 p.m. because of the rain and flooding. The city's Web page read,“We ask that homeowners reduce the amount of water usage from washing machines, showers, dishwashers, etc.”

Garnet Mader, 67, of Center Point, said she lived in Center Point all her life and had never seen flash flooding like the one that happened Tuesday.

“People's yards are still full of water, like ponds,” said Mader.