ANNAPOLIS, Md. (WJZ)— An unwelcome surprise: water took over downtown Annapolis, causing big headaches. Mike Hellgren has more on the damage and concern.

It’s gotten much better but there are still sandbags in front of some businesses. Dock Street was covered in water and it’s heartbreaking for so many, especially this time of year. They’re cleaning up now.

A powerful storm dumped heavy rain, flooding parts of downtown Annapolis, closing streets and causing tens of thousands of dollars in damage to businesses during some of the busiest shopping days of the year.

“It’s horrifying. My wife is in tears. I have kids that work for me that rely on their income. It’s heartrending. This is the sort of stuff…you go home at night and wonder if it’s still worth it,” said one shopowner.

The flooding was just part of a rough 24 hours in Annapolis. As the storm blew through, transformers exploded, cutting power to almost 70,000 homes and businesses.

“First, we saw, like a huge flash of lightning. Then the thunder and started rumbling and the sky started flashing blue and green and then it started flashing red and everything went dark. All the power went out,” said Krishia Balagaes.

“I didn’t think it would be this bad at all,” said one resident.

Now the cleanup begins.

“How many kids will be put out of work and what does this do to my family? It’s insane,” a shopowner said.

“The winds came up, blew the tidal surge in. All the piers underwater and that’s it. By tomorrow it’ll be gone,” said a resident.

Some streets are still closed but the water is receding.