Sandbags still lined up along storefronts on Irwin Street in Downtown Hanford.
At least two local businesses had to close their doors Friday because of Thursday’s flood waters.
“I was just devastated. This is my second home, and it’s like literally I see my home underwater. So it was just hard,” said Jessica Szalai as she recalls the moment her store, Beautifully Damaged, started flooding on Thursday afternoon.
Right before 5 PM, a storm system quickly passed through the city.
Causing about four inches of flood waters to rush into locally owned shops.
“Walking in was just really surreal because I’m literally walking through water, and my shoes were soaked, and I could hear my husband sloshing through,” explained Jessica.
Beautifully Damaged, lost $2,000 worth of inventory, plus the hundreds she could have made if she wasn’t forced to close her doors Friday.
“It’s hard. Because after COVID, sales are not great, and just trying to stay above water literally, and then this happens, and it’s just devastating,” mentioned Jessica.