BLADENBORO, N.C. (WECT) – Emily Dowless is picking up the pieces after Tropical Storm Debby flooded her small business, Market on Main.

Debby turned Bladenboro’s Main St. into a makeshift river Thursday morning.

“We grabbed our stuff and ran. We didn’t know what to expect honestly,” Dowless told WECT.

She says at around 9:30 Wednesday night her store was fine. However, just 30 minutes later, the rain picked up and the water began to rise.

“We did have sandbags up and that did slow it down because even the water was above the sandbags,” Dowless explained. “Even though we only got an inch or so in the building, outside of the building it was over knee deep.”

With the help of friends and quick thinking, Dowless and her husband stacked their merchandise on tables and chairs.

“I had my broom and tried to help it along, but my husband said it’s coming in the front just as quickly as it’s coming in the back,” she said.

Despite the damage and chaos of her business flooding, Dowless said the storm brought out the best in people, with over one hundred people reaching out on social media asking what they can do to help.

“That’s what our community is all about. We always come together in times of need. We really didn’t expect less. It’s really a great place to live and raise a family,” she said.

The town is no stranger to flooding, but Dowless says they’re looking to a brighter future.

“We are working to rebuild Bladenboro and no, the answer is we don’t want to keep flooding. So, whether that means a new building here or relocating to somewhere else, the plan is to lift everything up eventually.”

Until then, neighbors will lift each other up as they try to put Debby behind them.

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