Cleanup process begins for Bridgeville businesses, homeowners

BRIDGEVILLE, Pa. — Several dozen businesses and homes in the Bridgeville area are facing difficulties as they attempt to clean up after Wednesday's storms.

Public Works crews were seen early Thursday morning with heavy equipment working to clean the mud off Carol Avenue – a road that was underwater less than 24 hours ago.

John Raysich told Channel 11's Lori Houy that he was working at his Porsche repair shop when buckets of rain started to fall and the creek nearby began to rise.

"I had two (cars) and we moved two," Raysich said. "In 2004, we lost six cars and about $500,000."

Raysich said the flooding water was about waist-high, deep enough to swim in.

"An employee drove through a puddle and then swam," Raysich said.

Michael Gibbons, who owns Precious Paws Pet Salon, said he lost everything in the flood. Gibbons said he has no insurance.

"Our basement is where the grooming is and the top floor is retail. The whole bottom was 4½ feet under water," Gibbons said. "You can't cry about it, though. There's nothing I can do."

Water and mud destroyed valuables and memories inside Debi Williams’ Margaret Street home.

“I’ve never been through anything like this. All pictures are gone,” said Williams.

David Martin, owner of The Beer Warehouse, spent Thursday dumping thousands of cases of tainted beer and sanitizing the business.

Officials toured the Bridgeville area Thursday to assess the damage in hopes of getting state and federal assistance for those affected.

WPXI