Snack n' Pack in Butler got a sudden and unwelcome surprise on Sunday.

“I was in the dining room,” employee Lori Petanovich said. “I had my first table. I was getting them drinks, and the guy just gets up and runs out.”

The six-pack store, bar and grill combo saw flash flooding that rushed through their parking lot and 4 inches of water crept into their store and dining room.

Petanovich said the flooding closed their store for the remainder of the day. She said the water reached parts of the kitchen, too.

Petanovich said it took six hours, three squeegees and a shop vac to clean up what was mostly water and spilled beer from broken cans and bottles.

“If we didn't have to move all the beer, it would have gone quicker,” she said.

Petanovich said there was not any significant damage, and none of their equipment had to be replaced. She said the store was closed Monday too, but for unrelated reasons.

Fellow employee Gary Drew said the corner of Jefferson and Monroe streets has always had its problems with flooding. He said most of the time the water has flowed downhill to their location and overwhelms the drainage.

“The three sewer drains over there get overflowed,” he said.

Drew said he was not there for this flood, but he remembers the one three years ago.

“It was just as bad,” he said.

Steve Bicehouse, director of Butler County Emergency Services, said floods should be familiar to residents.

“There's a history of flooding in Butler County,” Bicehouse said.

Bicehouse said the most important thing for people to remember is to stay away from the water if they can, especially flooding roads.

“Don't pass through it in any way. Don't try to drive through a flash flood,” he said. “Don't get into any flooding situations and think you can navigate the waters yourself.”

Bicehouse said when flash flood calls come, police and fire departments typically respond to check the situation.

Lt. Bob Dougherty of the Butler City Fire Department said once on scene, the police and fire crews will respond according to what they see, for example if there's electrical components in the water, they may call the electric company.

“We also can block off or barricade streets until the streets department or whoever come out with salt washes,” Dougherty said. “We can keep people out or evacuate people if we have to.”

Dougherty said he's only seen about three or four flash floods in his 19 years with the department, and the level of danger varied. He said the worst part about flash floods is the danger levels can be deceiving.

“The times you go in and think there's nothing to it, those are the times that take you away,” he said.

Bicehouse said if surging floodwaters sweep someone away, the county has its Butler County Water Rescue Team 300.

“We are fortunate to have a water rescue team here in the county,” he said.

Bicehouse said the best way to prepare for flash floods is to be aware of them.

“You should always pay attention to the weather warnings when they come out, and keep the awareness levels up,” he said.

Bicehouse said when storm warnings are heard, bring in anything that could be washed away, and if your house is in a flood-prone area, find somewhere else to stay.

“Keep stuff out of the streams and the culverts,” Bicehouse said. “The most important message is to stay out.”