Worst Flooding In 20 Years: Annapolis Businesses Try To Recover

ANNAPOLIS, MD - The floodwaters may have receded from last week's storm surge in Annapolis, but plenty of damage remains.

Here's a look at the aftermath in Maryland's state capital. Click each headline to learn more.

Worst Flood Since Hurricane Isabel Slams MD: See Photos

A 5.1-foot storm surge rolled into Annapolis on Jan. 9 and 10. It was the third-worst flood recorded in city history. It was also the worst since Hurricane Isabel dumped a record 7.16 feet in 2003.

The 2.23 inches of rain and the wind gusts up to 60 mph contributed to the inundation. Nearly 35,000 Marylanders lost power during the storm.

The water came over Annapolis City Dock, swamped a busy street and flooded downtown businesses.

"This is totally wild," Glen Burnie resident LeRonn Herbert said on Facebook, sharing a photo of the inundation at City Dock. "The coastal flooding water [is] moving beyond the harbor in downtown Annapolis, Maryland [and] going past the Alex Haley Kunta Kinte Memorial."

'It's Our Entire Lives': Flood Relief Money Unlocked For Annapolis Businesses

Annapolis declared a state of emergency on Jan. 12 to unlock disaster relief resources for flooded businesses.

City businesses are eligible for up to $50,000 each in grants. This money will help repair property damage, replace equipment and cover lost income.

Pip's Dock Street Dogs plans to apply for a grant after it suffered 2.5 feet of flooding. Owner Ryan Lamy said the money is a "huge burden lifted off of us."

"We've got employees that depend on us. We put everything we have into these businesses," Lamy said. "It's a lot to deal with. It's our entire lives."

Flooded Businesses Vow To Reopen After Major Damage In Annapolis

Several businesses are still closed for long-term repairs.

Storm Brothers Ice Cream Factory was flooded with 32 inches. This was the fourth time Storm Brothers has flooded since it opened in October 1976, but it has returned every time.

The ice cream parlor will be closed for at least a month or two. It expects repairs to cost $60,000 to $80,000 on the high end.

"Everything's a total loss once your freezers are floating," Owner Sveinn Storm said. "We'll start from scratch."

Flooded Annapolis Businesses Frustrated With 'Threatening' Closure Signs

Seventeen flooded businesses in Annapolis were declared "unfit for human habitation" last week.

Those establishments were temporarily shut down until cleared by inspectors. Nine flooded businesses still had closure orders a week after the flood.

Inspectors must ensure each business is disinfected properly before reopening. Officials think the floodwater may have mixed with sewage, making the buildings unsafe for customers until cleaned.

Flood victims said the red closure signs were posted without warning. They called the signs threatening and confusing. Owners said the signs fueled rumors that their businesses were permanently closed.

"It's quite threatening," Annapolis Maritime Museum & Park President and CEO Alice Estrada said of her shutdown notice. "We don't know what it is and we don't know how to cure it, to be honest. There's no instructions."