Downtown Napa Rebounding Quickly From Flood.

NAPA, Calif. -- Shops, stores and restaurants in the city of Napa are rebounding quickly from the weekend's torrential rain and flooding and are optimistic about resuming business in the coming days. Some businesses are already open, and many others expect to be operating this coming weekend.

Flooding has been a chronic problem for Napa whenever heavy rains have caused the Napa River to rise. But the downpours of this past weekend caused less damage in Napa than previous floods, and far less disruption than the waters that inundated other San Francisco Bay Area cities.

Cathy Salerno, owner of Piccolino's Italian cafe and president of the Napa Downtown Association, says there were several factors that reduced the impact of the flooding. "We have a flood-control project under construction along the river," she reports. "Unfortunately the amount of the federal government's contribution to the funding has been cut for various reasons, including to address other national emergency projects, so the work isn't finished.

"But," Salerno observes, "the portion that is finished did what it was supposed to do -- reduce the damage."

She also credits the City of Napa's Emergency Operation Center for their quick response to the flooding. "They were incredible," she explains. "They helped us prepare for the flooding and they worked straight through the weekend to respond to the problems caused by the water."

According to Salerno, clean-up work is well under way. "It's a cooperative effort by the City, Volunteer Center of Napa, the Napa Downtown Association, the Napa Chamber of Commerce, the Convention and Visitors Bureau, and citizens who just want to help." She adds that the groups are working with local businesses and residents to ascertain the true extent of the flood-caused damage.

One of the biggest impacts was the loss of electric power, causing businesses to shut down even though the floodwaters did not affect them. "The New Year's business was simply wiped out," Salerno notes. "Restaurants ended up donating perishable food to local shelters rather than let it spoil."

Despite the progress being made to bring business back to normal, the impact of the flooding in Napa is substantial. City officials estimate the cost to the City of Napa, businesses and homeowners at approximately $50 million. This estimate will be refined based on ongoing assessments.

But local businesses remain positive about the situation. "We're more fortunate than other areas where flooding occurred," Salerno says. "When things settle down, we're looking into the possibility of having an event to celebrate the end of this flood, and to replace the New Year's Eve festivities that we lost."

The Napa Downtown Association was founded in 1971. Its 300 members include restaurants, shops, stores and professional services located in the city of Napa.

NOTE TO EDITORS: For interviews with local business owners, contact Irv Hamilton.