New Orleans - Some merchants in uptown New Orleans wonder if the renovations done to their street will now leave their businesses more vulnerable to flooding.
Oak Street from Carrollton to Leake Avenue underwent multi-million dollar reconstruction.
Since then, business owners say flooding has threatened what used to be considered higher ground.
Merchant Penny Francis with Eclectic Home says about 3 inches of water seeped 4 to 5 feet into her store.
"It started coming up on the sidewalk and then with the cars driving, It caused a wake and it was relentless. We never had a break and for the first time I got water into the store front. We lost most of our rugs in the store and a few pieces of furniture but I think it could have been worse had we not been here."
Magda Nelson's store 'Glue' took on water too, though the location was dry during Katrina.
"Since the renovation of the street, about 4 days after, we had a 30% chance if rain and it immediately flooded the street."
For 8 months, Oak Street underwent $5.4 million of improvements that include new sewer, new water, new gas lines, new drainage, new streets and sidewalks.
Store owners along Oak Street say while it is not unusual for businesses closest to Carrollton to get water inside, it is unusual for those several blocks back to experience flooding.
"For me I think the lesson is we have now bought sandbags and that is something I did not think I would have to do before. We are investing in cinder blocks that if we are here we can kind of raise things up," says Francis.
Store owners don't know if the changes to Oak Street account for the flooding.
Public Works Director Robert Mendoza issued a statement saying, "although the drainage infrastructure is improved, it is not able to withstand flooding in the surrounding neighborhood caused by the excessive rainfall experienced during the recent weather activities. There are not any aspects of the recent reconstruction project that would cause the street to flood."
The Oak Street area did experience an unusual amount of rain.
The National Weather Service reports Saturday night's rain event brought 7.22 inches of rainfall to the Audubon park gauge and another 7.33 inches between Monday and Tuesday's rainfall event when 3 to 4 inches is enough to prompt problems.
