Memphis business owners recover from winter storm damage

MEMPHIS, Tennessee — It’s been over a week and many people are still dealing with the damage from the holiday freeze. The owners of The Bazaar in Memphis say they have been working hard to get back on their feet.

“Water running down the walls and everything. Just pouring. Just pouring,” said Ann Yates, owner of The Bazaar.

“The alarm went off because water was coming into my alarm panel,” Yates said.

When Yates walked into her boutique in the Medical District, she noticed the damage immediately.

“I was ankle deep in the water. The water was gushing from the ceiling,” Yates said.

She has owned The Bazaar for five years.

“It’s cold every year. Why now,” Yates asked.

For the first time, a water pipe on the second floor of the shop froze and burst, flooding her shop.

The problem has only continued with this week’s rain.

“I had to leave the back door open because of the smell and was trying to keep everything from getting moldy,” Yates said.

She cleared the drain behind the boutique to keep water from getting in. “I feel like we’re in a little pod here that people have forgotten,” Yates said.

The City of Memphis says it’s on the MLGW when it comes to water for businesses and homes. If the issue remains unresolved, residents can contact the MLGW committee or a member of their city council. To prevent flooding, the city says they clean out storm drains every weekday. They check for flooding when the rain is above what they call the Finished Floor Elevation (FFE).

“The city was steadily doing this and that in front of me … I didn’t see any improvement, so I really didn’t know what to think,” Yates said.

Despite his frustration, Yates decided to keep going.

“I’m only a year and a half away from turning 80. I could have stopped, but I think it’s part of my DNA to just keep pushing and doing what I can to show people you can’t be addicted,” Yates said.

Her friends launched a fundraiser to help Yates recover. Click here if you want to support.