Monterey Peninsula businesses prepare as flood watch looms
MONTEREY COUNTY, Calif. (KION-TV) -- As the storms move in, businesses along the Peninsula began preparing for power outages, flooding, and a temporary loss of customers.
Steven Disseldorp is the owner of The Little Swiss Cafe in Carmel-by-the-Sea.
"When the power goes down, we're dead in the water," Disseldorp said. "So we have to put candles out, we have to open all the doors, the store and the kitchen door, and we kind of have to wrap it up, because when the power goes out, we're in the dark. "
Steven said his business is used to seeing storms, and the cafe has plans in place.
“We wrap up what we can on the griddle with the flashlights," Disseldorp said. "And then we're graciously try to do the cards as much as we can. Because the credit card machine goes out. It's got batteries.”
Another worry for Steven is ensuring his new sign remains despite the winds during the storm. He's had problems with it falling over in the past.
"I just put this back up, is my sign," Disseldorp said. "My father made that, and it came off just the last storm. So I remounted it."
Emily Stone is an employee at the clothing store Connie Roberson in the Carmel Crossroads Shopping Center.
She said that if flooding becomes a concern, they will move their cars to a different spot, higher up in the back.
"What I've noticed is people do drive slower, which is really important," Stone said. "And then we've got ample parking here, so sometimes we'll have to park in the back if there is a little puddle here and there."
Frankie from Lighthouse Nails in Pacific Grove said most of his customers are older.
He's worried about them being able to make it to appointments tomorrow in the wet weather.
"The ground is wet, elderly people can't make it here," Frankie said. "I'm concerned about the rain and the power outages. I need the electricity to work so I can keep working."
