Local businesses near State Street brace for another round of rainstorms
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - All the puddles near Olive Street are so big you can see a beautiful reflection.
But owner Jez blacker of Just LED and Lights store said the cleanup after Monday’s massive rainstorm was not so beautiful.
"Waters were coming up we had to get out of here. Worried about cars floating away. All that sort of stuff," said Blacker.
Blacker said the sandbags helped keep his store dry from Monday’s rainstorm.
"Just a little bit deeper into the shop and we had a few puddles but apart from that it didn’t affect the shop," said Blacker.
Some of the areas hardest hit from the rainstorm early this week include the 400 block of State Street.
But some of the small businesses are not as concerned about the rain.
Managers at Santa Barbara Roasting Company said they plan to stay open through the weekend.
"We’re planning on staying open … our normal hours making sure we have staff getting here earlier making sure they’re safe we’re lucky we have a parking lot but we’re planning on being open," said retail manager Ederita Hernandez of Santa Barbara Roasting Company.
Backyard Bowls has yet to make a final decision as to whether doors will stay open this weekend.
"Just in case we are expecting to close again … throughout the weekend we’re going to be in contact with city officials making sure we’re able to run our business even though the rainstorm are coming," said lead manager Laura Luevanos of Backyard Bowls.
Blacker said he's hopeful the sandbags will keep the store dry ahead of the rainstorm this weekend.
"Dozens of sandbags ... two on top of each other ... just the water can spray up and go underneath the cracks," said Blacker.
For those businesses closed to the public, customers have their own plans for the rain.
I’m really excited because I love the rain and I would love to take a boat down state street when it floods again," said resident Charlotte Tichy of Santa Barbara.
"I’m watching Wednesday … second episode .. going to binge watch … I will not be leaving the house," said resident Alyssa Montalvo of Santa Barbara.
The rainstorm is expected to hit Santa Barbara and surrounding areas throughout the weekend and into Monday.
