Storm devastates Southeast Asian Market at FDR Park in Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Vendors at the Southeast Asian Market at FDR Park are cleaning up and rebuilding after powerful storms swept through Philadelphia on Saturday, destroying tents, inventory and equipment and leaving business owners with significant financial losses.

The National Weather Service said several microbursts produced powerful straight-line winds across the region, creating dangerous conditions at the popular outdoor food market as shoppers and vendors scrambled for shelter.

"It looked like somebody threw a bomb at the market," said Melissa Ngar, owner of Melissa Khmer BBQ.

The storm struck while the weekly summer market was in full swing.

Market officials said 53 vendors were operating Saturday, and each is estimated to have lost between $500 and $1,000 in damaged inventory, including destroyed tents, tables and other equipment.

"It all happened within maybe like 10 to 15 minutes," said visitor Lindsey McField.

The microbursts in Philadelphia were among a range of severe weather across the U.S. this weekend that included heatwaves, flooding and wildfires.

Amber Kahn, who was visiting the market for the first time with McField, said she and others tried to hold down a vendor's tent as the storm intensified. During the chaos, she was struck in the face by flying debris.

"A random object just hit me in the face and my face just started bleeding," Kahn said.

Photos and video from the aftermath showed toppled trees, collapsed tents and debris scattered across the park.

Ngar, whose family has operated at the market for more than two decades, said the storm destroyed food, tents, tables and charcoal.

RELATED: Clean-up continues after powerful weekend storms in the Philadelphia region

People in parts of Philadelphia and Montgomery County were still cleaning up after a powerful storm swept through the area over the weekend.

As the storm hit, Ngar said she rushed her children to safety while her father stayed behind to keep the tent from blowing away.

"He held the tent down with my two staff, which is my two nephews," she said.

Despite the destruction, Ngar said she is grateful no one from her business was seriously injured.

"Everyone, thank God, wasn't hurt. It was just a lot of inventory that was lost," she said.

By Monday evening, much of the storm debris had been cleared from FDR Park. Market organizers said they hope to reopen this Saturday as vendors work to replace damaged supplies and recover from the unexpected losses.

"It's really heartbreaking to have built ourselves up to here to do it all over again," Ngar said. "And we already are having a tough season."

To support affected vendors and the market, click here.