The Gardiner Hannaford sustained significant damage from last week’s devastating flooding and will remain closed while the grocery store chain assesses the damage.

“Our Gardiner store experienced considerable water damage from the recent storm,” spokeswoman Caitlin Cortelyou said in a statement on Tuesday. “The health and safety of our associates and customers is our top priority and we will work to reopen the store when it is safe to do so.”

The parking lot outside the store at 40 Maine Ave. is often partly flooded after heavy rain, but the Dec. 18 wind and rainstorm drove water inside the store.

Cortelyou suggested that Hannaford customers visit stores in Augusta for food and pharmacy needs. The closest grocery store to the Gardiner location is Goggin’s IGA in Randolph, less than a mile away.

“We are committed to serving the Gardiner community and extend our deepest gratitude to our associates and customers for their support as we begin to rebuild alongside the many Mainers impacted by this devastating storm,” Cortelyou said.

The business is just one of many that sustained damage in the storm that dumped 4-6 inches of rain and whipped up winds that reached over 60 mph in the Augusta area.

At the height of the storm, 532,000 Mainers were without power with some waiting days for restoration.

Four people died, including two men killed by falling trees and two women who drown when the Swift River swept their vehicle away.

On Tuesday, the Federal Emergency Management Agency approved a request for the state to begin conducting a preliminary damage assessment of the storm. That’s the first step toward requesting a major disaster declaration from the federal government, according to Gov. Janet Mills’ office.