At least 28 businesses across Hyde Park, Oakley, and Mt. Lookout are still cleaning up from the July 17 flash flood, according to the Hyde Park Neighborhood Council. Some owners face weeks of repairs, and a fresh round of severe weather is bearing down Tuesday morning.

The storm dumped up to five inches of rain on Cincinnati's East Side, backing up drains, sending sewage into kitchens, and leaving inches of standing water inside shops along Delta Avenue and Madison Road. The Metropolitan Sewer District of Greater Cincinnati has received more than 900 reports of sewer backups and basement flooding from the storm.

For Kyle Mitchell, owner of Dark Stallion Tattoo in Mt. Lookout, it was the second flooding in two years. Mitchell captured video of water overflowing from his shop's toilet and onto the floor the evening of Friday, July 17. He spent the days since moving equipment out and preparing to replace floors and drywall. He told WCPO his business could be closed for a month, with contractors in high demand across the neighborhood.

"Panic started to set in because I know how bad it's been for this neighborhood," Mitchell said Saturday, July 18. "Almost every business in this neighborhood is a family business — and we aren't million-dollar corporations."

Bill Charles, who owns Bill's Painting and Carpentry on Delta Avenue, found puddles across his shop floor after drains backed up. Down the street, Zip's Cafe, which celebrated its 100th anniversary this year, closed through the weekend for remediation. Neko Sushi owner Yeon Kim said the July 17 flood was the fifth time sewage water has overtaken her kitchen and dining room since 2018.

Mel Huffman, co-owner of the Crystalary in Mt. Lookout, was moving at least 15,000 crystals and minerals out of her shop. She has lived in the neighborhood since 2012 and said she had never seen flooding like it.

The Hyde Park Neighborhood Council said on Facebook that the best way to help affected merchants is to spend money with them in the days and weeks ahead. The council also urged residents to file claims with MSD's Sewer Backup Program within 48 hours of the flooding, either online or by phone.

Poeme, a stationery shop on Michigan Avenue near Hyde Park Square, took donations of Clorox wipes, paper towels, and trash bags for businesses cleaning up along Madison Road. Owner Kristen Folzenlogen said the flooding affected her store's basement but called the broader problem systemic, saying the city's sewage systems cannot handle that volume of water in such a short time.

City Council member Seth Walsh echoed that frustration Monday, July 20, questioning why infrastructure work in these neighborhoods has not prevented repeat flooding. He asked where the catch basins are and why conditions aren't improving despite investment.

"What happened Friday was an act of God, but these keep happening so we have to figure out how we can react to it and how we can support the businesses," Walsh said. "Because at some point they're going to give up on us."

Cincinnati City Manager Sheryl Long said Monday, July 20, the city is prioritizing debris removal in Hyde Park, Oakley, Madisonville, and California. The Department of Public Services deployed roll-off containers, with the first stationed at 4420 Camberwell Road in Hyde Park. Residents can report debris or drainage concerns by calling 311 or using 311cincy.org.

Mayor Aftab Pureval planned to visit cleanup sites Tuesday, July 21, according to WLWT, marking his first public appearance in the affected neighborhoods since the storm.

National Weather Service meteorologist Julie Dian-Reed warned Monday that another round of storms could bring clustering rainfall, hail, and high winds beginning around 8 a.m. Tuesday, July 22. Damaging wind is expected to be the primary threat, though additional flooding remains possible.

No specific city council vote or hearing on long-term stormwater solutions has been scheduled.