FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) — Local agencies were faced with a wet and windy Christmas Eve Wednesday, as calls came rushing in.
From downed trees to flooded roadways, it was all hands on deck.
One early morning call was for a massive flood in East Central Fresno.
Several business owners on Ashlan and Willow woke up to their worst nightmare.
“I show up to the shop, I’m literally covered up to my ankles in water,” said Hector Arenas, one of the owners of Diamond Pressure Barber Supply.
His was one of ten businesses thrashed by the flood.
The intense rain became too much for the drainage system, forcing cleanup crews to cut open water pipes.
“The floors, we just got them installed, in the whole barbershop and in the back shop, our tvs, our signs, the ceiling, all that is all destroyed, our speakers,” Arenas said.
With all damages and cancellations considered, Arenas estimates a loss of around $20,000.
This video, shared by co-owner Daniel Cabrera, shows him stepping over pieces of the ceiling just to get into the soaking wet barbershop.
“I couldn’t believe it, you know? The whole roof was caved in, there was water everywhere, and I just saw chaos,” Cabrera said.
As cleanup crews hauled ruined furniture and equipment, Cabrera told us it couldn’t come at a worse time.
“Some people are really reliant on a haircut to feel well, to look well, on their Christmas Day, so it’s a little upsetting that we’re not able to provide that for them,” Cabrera said.
With more wet weather on the way, city officials know they’re work is far from over.
“Planning to have crews out working, throughout tonight even into Christmas tomorrow, working the storm ans to make sure everything is safe,” said City of Fresno assistant director of public works, Brian Russell.
Despite the setback, the owners say there’s been no shortage of support.
“I actually got reached out to by a lot of different barbershops, and not only barbershops but tattoo shops and just different places that were offering us a chair…It’s that Christmas spirit, we’re all banding together, it takes a tribe, you know?” Cabrera said.
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