
MERCED COUNTY, Calif. (KMJ/KFSN) β A heavy downpour and intense winds β causing power outages across Merced County.
βIt did set us back a little bit, but not as bad as it couldβve been,β said owner of Mix Bakery Merced, Cynthia Prader.
PG&E says thousands of customers lost electricity after palm trees intertwined with power lines, but it was quickly restored.
Cynthia Prader β owner of Mix Bakery Merced says it did impact her business, but they were prepared.
βIt affects us because we try to come in and we need to start baking and doing all our prep for the morning and when you donβt have ovens, lights β you canβt get in the refrigerators, freezers, you really have to be cautious about that,β said Prader.
Meanwhile, Merced County officials say theyβve seen minimal damage with some tree branches in the road, but they still recommend residents stay prepared for the worst.
βHave some extra food, some extra water, flashlights, batteries, maybe a backup battery, a radio- things like that just in case youβre stuck at home for a day,β said Mike North with Merced County.
If youβre out in the fields like Craig Arnold, the rain is a welcome site.
βFrom the ag side, weβll take it. It does cause us some small problems. Some fungus issues in or peaches and our almonds,β Arnold Farms Atwater, Craig Arnold.
Arnold says theyβve already treated the fruit β and just hopes the rounds of wet weather continue into the spring and build on that snow pack.
βHopefully itβs all snow up in the mountains that we can store for the next six months and have access to it,β said Arnold.
BY ABC30βS Brianna Willis