Several businesses were damaged when heavy rain flooded the Montgomery Ward building on Main Street in Putnam Tuesday evening.
Putnam fire officials said a roof drain for the building failed, causing water to come gushing in during a downpour Tuesday evening. The water leaked down into the basement and flooded the area.
“It was just chaos. There’s was water every everywhere, pouring down from the third floor all the way through,” said Laureen Clauson, owner of August & March Home.
The fire department responded to cut the power and vacuumed up as much water as possible.
No one was hurt during the flooding.
Roughly ten businesses housed in the building were affected.
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Clauson said the business that was hit hardest was Green Hair Company on the third floor.
“It’s gone. Ceiling tiles are on the floor, the electric fan just fell. It was very sad,” she said.
Wonderland Comics also had significant damage inside and ruined merchandise. Several other businesses, including Flying Carpet Studio, suffered minor damage.
Fire officials said all the water has been removed from the building, but repairs to the ceiling and walls are needed before the building can reopen.
Business owners were told they could lose a couple of days to a week of business, if not more.
“It’s a shame. And the time that we’re losing is really the big problem for us. We depend on our summer and weekend travelers here,” said Ann Monteiro of Flying Carpet Studios.
