Longtime Bridgeport business owner cleaning up after devastating flood

"Everything is just floating around down there," said Dennis Demetris, owner of Demetris Uptown Market.

ByTodd Haas WPVI logo
Friday, September 3, 2021
Ida floods basement of longtime business owner in Bridgeport
Ida floods basement of longtime business owner in Bridgeport"Everything is just floating around down there," said Dennis Demetris of his flooded basement. For the past 50 years, he's operated the Demetris Uptown Market in Bridgeport.

BRIDGEPORT, Pennsylvania (WPVI) -- It's been a long 24 hours for first responders who have been rescuing people stranded by floodwaters around the Philadelphia region.

Crews headed out in lifeboats and went door-to-door to evacuate residents who live near the swollen Schuylkill River.

Other first responders, like the Bridgeport Fire Company, are helping businesses bounce back from the flooding.

SEE ALSO: Major flooding in Philadelphia and surrounding areas; 7 tornadoes confirmed

Crews are continuing to pump out water from Vine Street Expressway Thursday night after the remnants of Hurricane Ida caused historic flooding in the Philadelphia region.

Dennis Demetris, who owns Demetris Uptown Market on 4th Street in Bridgeport, is one of those businesses.

He has been running the shop for the past 50 years. It's been in his family for a total of 90 long years.

But Wednesday's storm sent 3 to 4 feet of water into his basement, which he is currently unable to pump out.

The basement is filled with almost 90 years of memorabilia including old family photos that Demetris fears he is going to have to throw.

"Everything is just floating around down there," he said.

He says the business is still open despite the flooding.

The Bridgeport Fire Company is still working to clear out the flooded basement.

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