First Monday vendors begin cleanup in aftermath of Monday floods

CANTON, Texas (KLTV) - Vendors at Canton’s First Monday Trade Days are starting the cleanup process following flood damage.

“My grandson called, and he was driving by out here and he said my camper was floating…I said what?”

Many vendors at Canton’s First Monday Trade Days got this kind of news yesterday as the property flooded as storms passed through East Texas.

Owner of Lonestar Aussie, Pat West, says he was lucky to discover his camper undamaged, but his business wasn’t so lucky. He says about a foot of water got inside, ruining the floors.

“It’s not this week but next is Canton and I gotta get it all where people can get in there anyway, West says. “I’m not going to be able to replace the whole floor until after Canton.”

Owner of Kitty Kartel and K9 Mafia Kennels, Nikki Jones, says the news hit her hard.

“Oh Lord! Help me,” Jones says. “This is my and my kids’ business, so it’s something we do together, so it affects them as much as it affects me.”

She says she has turned on the air condition, dehumidifier, and set up fans, in an effort to dry everything out. She says the porch will have to be replaced, and some inventory thrown away due to water damage. She says it will take weeks for them to recover.

“I think we’re going to have to deeply discount [the inventory] and try to move it out this weekend before there’s any further damage with any of it and we’ll try to start over,” Jones says.

The flood waters also damaged a wood walking bridge that was built in the 1970′s. Some vendors are concerned this will impact business if not repaired before First Monday Trade Days. Lisa Elliot, owner of First Monday Trade Days, says they will be getting the bridge evaluated by a contractor, but it’s undetermined if it will be fixed before trade days.

Another vendor, Delena Hunter, has been cleaning up debris all morning.

“It’s just kind of overwhelming and you know, it’s crazy what Mother Nature can do ... make a mess in such a hurry,” Hunter says.

Elliot says for now, September’s First Monday Trade Days will continue as scheduled.

Starting a week from Thursday on September 1.