Rain floods businesses, streets along Melrose Avenue in Fairfax District

FAIRFAX DISTRICT, LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- A big cleanup is underway for some local businesses Friday after a torrential downpour swamped a stretch of Melrose Avenue.

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The rain pounded the Fairfax District Thursday night and caused serious flooding along roads and sidewalks, which disappeared under approximately 1 1/2 feet of water.

The water seeped under the doors of several businesses on the north side of the street.

Pingtung restaurant said 3-4 inches of rain flowed into the eatery. Mud also seeped inside several clothing boutiques along Melrose Avenue and drenched dresses hanging on mannequins.

Business owners said this isn't the first time this has happened. They've experienced flooding in the past, and they said part of the problem is the angle of the storm drains. But also, the rain was coming down at such a rapid pace, the storm drains could not handle the volume.

"We couldn't open the doors. People had to exit through the back, but it just creeped in under. It didn't break anything, but it's just a big cleanup job today," said Patrick Jennings with Pingtung.

Jennings added that he would like to see the city fix the drains.

The exact amount of damage remains to be tabulated.

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