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WHEN IT RAINS, IT POURS
Double whammy for Ripon salon: Lockdown then storm damage
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Divine Salon & Spa in Ripon reopened for just one day last week before the downtown business was rocked by storm damages. Floors, ceiling along with some of the stations were hit hard by water damage.

Heather Hernandez was looking forward to a busy week.

She's the owner of Divine Salon & Spa in downtown Ripon. On Jan. 26, Hernanez and her fellow stylists were thrilled to be back in business after three shutdowns in eight months – Gov. Gavin Newsom and the State Board of Cosmetology had just given hair salons to reopen following the latest COVID-19 stay-at-home orders -- when disaster struck.

Last week's storm featuring heavy winds and strong wind gusts tore through the business at 113 W. Main St. The result of that was the roof of Divine Salon & Spa being badly damaged, causing extreme damage during the evening.

"I was home but the power was out," she said.

Hernandez. who had the business remodeled during the first shutdown, was shocked to see —  via video camera from her home, after power was restored — water gushing from the ceiling, with ceiling tiles scattered on the floor and "water pouring through like a bathtub," she said.

Hernandez added: "Orange water was everywhere, from the front door and all the way to the back and to the hallway."

She and her eight fellow stylists were devastated.

"I'm not a crier. But I cried that day," said Hernandez.

Clients with scheduled appointments were notified of the bad news and employees were forced to endure another round of loss wages not to mention a few possessions. As it later turned out, some items were salvageable. 

Hernandez has been kept busy working with contractors and insurance agents in an effort to repair the damages. 

Local business folks such as photographer Rachel Venema have stepped up to help Divine Salon & Spa with a Gofundme account.

"They have gotten knocked down over and over this past year, but kept getting back up and having hope that they could return to business as usual," said Venema on her Divine Salon in Ripon-Flood Damage-Covid Relief post on social media.

The local hair salon is expected to be closed for next few weeks with funds donated going towards bills and loss of income during another three to four weeks of closure.

Thus far, $2,110 has been raised with the possible goal of $10,000. "Any amount would be greatly appreciated," Venema added.

For more information or to make a donation, log on to Divine Salon & Spa on Facebook.