WILKES-BARRE, Pa. — Lots of rain caused problems for a grocery store in Luzerne County.
Caution tape surrounds the entrance of Schiel's Family Market on Hanover Street in Wilkes-Barre after Thursday's flash flooding. Employees are working hard to clean up the aftermath, which caused several inches of water to flood the front of the store.
As water cleanup & restoration crews cleared the area, customers were shocked to see the damage.
"Yeah, that came as a real surprise because they've had bad storms before, and it didn't affect the store at all," says frequent customer Joe Vrislin.
According to the owner, the drainage system surrounding the store couldn't handle the heavy rain, causing the water to flood into the store's parking lot. The water eventually entered the building while customers shopped, forcing the store to close.
Everyone inside the store made it out safely.
"I was right down the street. I did stop by to get some eggs to make breakfast, and it's closed," says Monique Hickson of Hanover Township.
"Yeah. I got to go somewhere else, but what are you going to do, right? It happens, what are you going to do right?" says Gary Kellar from Ashley.
For now, the closed sign on the door invites customers to head to Schiel's other location on George Avenue in Wilkes-Barre.
"I am wowed. I know the owners very well. It's just a shock. I'm sorry to see them having to go through this. I'll be reaching out to them to see if there's anything I can do to help them out during this time. I hope the damage isn't too bad," says a close friend of the owner, Joseph Ginthner.
Loyal customers hope the store can get back to business soon.
"I like it. Everybody is good and friendly. 35 years I've been coming to this store, and today the store is closed. I hope they open soon," added Sherry Barghing.
The owner hopes to reopen Schiel's Family Market on Hanover Street sometime next week.