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Athens Thriving Three Years After Flood

ATHENS — Three years ago many parts of our area were swamped with historic flood levels. One of the places hit hardest by the high waters was Athens, wher...
brad flooding

ATHENS -- Three years ago many parts of our area were swamped with historic flood levels.

One of the places hit hardest by the high waters was Athens, where much of that Bradford County community and its downtown were devastated by flooding.

Main Street in Athens in September of 2011 was gutted after the historic flooding.

But now nearly all the storefronts are filled, restaurants are busy, and just about everything looks new.

"I think it's great. It's building up every day. I mean, new businesses. We participate over here. I think it's doing a phenomenal job up here and I'm happy with it," said Steve Nemeth of Dad's Dips and Dogs.

The kitchen was hopping Tuesday at Dad's Dips and Dogs. It was under several feet of water on this day three years ago.

"I've never witnessed anything like that in my life, the way people came together up here. They really pulled together, especially right here," Nemeth said.

The Lowery Family Floral Shop is back open and so is the family's funeral home. The complex housing the businesses has been completely redone.

"I think Athens borough has bounced back better than it was before the flood.  You see a lot of new businesses. Everyone is back up and running. It's been great," said Sharon Lowery.

One of the new businesses that opened since the flood is the Mad Hatter Cafe. Owner Terry Johnston is dedicated to the downtown's rebirth. She's thrilled seeing the area thrive and neighborhoods where most people returned and rebuilt.

"Since then everyone has been a close tight knit group, working together on everything. We have a street fair we put together. It's grown every year. It's in remembrance of everything after the flood," Johnston said.

Of course there are still some struggling since the flood in Athens and some homes are abandoned, but most of the community is proud of how it bounced back.

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