Santa Cruz County businesses see slow down during storms

UPDATED 2/27/17 6:30 PM: It’s been a rough winter for private property owners in Santa Cruz County. Wind and rain has caused widespread damage, adding up to millions in repairs. Now the county is at work to help homeowners and businesses get some help.

“We’re trying to collect information on those damages to give them to the federal government to have them look at it and see if there is a designation available to help some of these homeowners” said Jason Hoppin, a county spokesperson.

On Thursday, a survey was launched to get information on damage from around the county.

“I expected a few dozen responses over the weekend, since we’ve put this out we’ve gotten 165” Hoppin said. “So there is a lot of damage out there.”

But the storm wasn’t only to property. Some businesses in the Rio Del Mar area also a saw a drop in foot traffic Facebook video shot by Cafe Rio doesn’t only show the intensity of the recent storm, it also shows an empty parking lot.

“It doesn’t flood the restaurant itself but you know as far as getting down here and coming in for dinner, you couldn’t come in, you couldn’t park in front and get out, you’d have to walk all the way down to the other end of the sidewalk” said Jeanne Harrison, owner of Cafe Rio.

County leaders say the next step is to work with the Small Business Administration on getting low-cost loans.

Jeanne Harrison is optimistic that better weather will bring back the customers that couldn’t make it in when storms were at their worst.

“[I’m] looking forward to the the sun being out and everything drying up and the roads getting fixed.” Harrison said. “Then all the people can come down and have dinner at Cafe Rio!”

PREVIOUS STORY: Businesses in Santa Cruz County are reflecting on the impact from recent storms. Many didn’t see the foot traffic they normally do, some even had the power knocked out.

KION’s Zach Fuentes is taking a look at how they’re getting back on their feet.