Runaway Booths: Farmers' Market Merchants Recount Flooding

On Thursday, June 23, Rockland County saw —and downtown Nyack was unprepared for the consequent flash flood.

The morning began like an other Thursday with the setup in the parking lot. It was gloomy out, but there was anticipation of Tom Chapin performing that afternoon. (He will be singing again in Piermont at the on July 24.)

As the morning went on, the sky darkened and lighting streaked across the sky. The day proved disastrous for many merchants, but yesterday everyone was eager to share their stories and pictures. Here are some firsthand accounts:

• "I was one of the lucky ones," said Mark Morton of . "I saw lightning and decided to pack everything into the van. Everyone was looking at me like I was the crazy one leaving early. Then the flash flood came and everyone scrambled!"

• "First it was at our ankles and we thought it was funny. Then it reached the door of the van. Then things went flying!" said Joy Macy of .

• "The water was slowly filling [the Riverspace lot], then more and more. Everyone was trying to protect their stuff," said Will Tyler of . "I feel bad for the local businesses. They got it the worst. They still have fans blowing inside Riverspace trying to dry it out. If you go to the front of the street, you can see how high the water got."

• "Water was flowing down the street. The had it to her thighs!" said Lewis Hahn of Marika's Sweet and Savory. (A new addition to the market—check back next week for their spotlight.) "My wife, Marika, got out of the car to save our tent. Her feet got tangled in electric wires and I thought she was going to go down. A river was flowing down the parking lot. Giant hailstones were coming down. I thought it was going to kill her! I told her to forget about it and get back in the car. Our tent and everything was gone."

• "We lost our tent and all the food," said Debbie Sadowsky of , aka the "Biskooky Lady." "Everyone elses' tents were flying this way and hitting my car. It's all full of dents." Sadowsky's Facebook status that day: "OMG! Huge, horrible T-storm/floods @Nyack Mkt. Thigh high river sent tents, tables, product from end to end. 3 tents, incl. mine crumpled & crashed into my car. Lost our tent, product, signs, baskets. Climbed through the passenger door in time to get my van out. Picked up an elderly man with a cane, wading thru the water & took him to his car. Sirens blasting, cars bumper deep... hope all the folks got home safely." And later that day: "Drove back down to Nyack. Seems everyone was gone; tables, tents, and tent weights strewn about. Found my banner (yea), Found my cinderblock weights about 50' away... not sure how those moved that far. And now... will see if any of my Biskookys are intact. Verrrrrry Happy to be safe and sound. Anyone up for a hug?"

Market Manager Pam Moskowitz helped get everyone out of the flooded lot as best she could. Whatever food and products that could be packed up were, but most tents were deserted and left in shambles. By later that evening, the lot was mostly dried out, but the frames of the tents lay crumbled around, while some tables stuck out of the bushes.

" has been very helpful," Lewis Hahn added. "They're trying to get funds for us for all our damages and losses."

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Check out the Nyack farmer's market Thursdays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. now until November 23.