SAN DIEGO — Monday's devastating downpour also impacted local businesses, some of which were already struggling even before the flood damage.
Along with so many homes that were devastated by Monday's flooding, many local businesses also took a hit. But there is help available.
"We didn't expect it," said Juana Mata, manager of Woodman Auto Body on Akins Avenue in Encanto, one of the areas hardest hit by this week's torrential downpours. "We thought it was just going to be a little rain."
Instead, their business, which was not insured for flooding, was inundated with water, unlike previous rainstorms.
"This time it just flooded everything," he told CBS 8.
The flooding not only destroyed a dozen cars, but also wiped out productivity and profit.
"We lost a whole week of production," he added.
"We need assistance down here," said Muslah Abdul-Hafeez, who runs Avenue 619, which he calls a 'community unity store' offering a place for Encanto entrepreneurs to sell their products.
"It was already hard times for small businesses over here," he said. "But the flood really damaged us a lot."
While some of these businesses in this strip mall may not have sustained much physical damage, they have lost a lot of business. The flooding knocked out trolley service, which is still down, cutting off much of their customer base which relies on public transit.
"Just look - there is usually a lot of people coming through here," he added "It's a ghost town right now."
"It is critical that we help these businesses," said Donna DeBerry, president and CEO of the County of San Diego Black Chamber of Commerce, which is now offering grants to businesses in hard-hit council district four, ranging from $500 to $5000 depending on their need and the damage sustained, joining forces with other local organizations.
"We are not waiting for government," she said. "We are banding together, pooling our money together. These people need help now!"
The City of San Diego is also offering grants up to $5,000 for up to 100 small businesses and non-profits impacted by the storm.
"It has been underrepresented and underserved communities that have not only been hit the hardest, but it takes a long time for those repairs to happen," DeBerry told CBS 8.
It is a recovery process that is continuing for businesses like Woodman Auto Body.
"We are trying to do our best to just move forward," Mata added.
For more information on these grants from the County of San Diego Black Chamber of Commerce, click here.
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