The rains are finally starting to slow.

Storm-ravaged California is now cleaning up after weeks of wind and rain that have left countless buildings and roads destroyed, and at least 20 people dead.

Nearly 10 consecutive atmospheric rivers – long, narrow columns of vapor that release significant amounts of rain or snow – impacted the coast of California and areas inland as the storms moved east.

The aftermath of torrential storms at the Santa Cruz Wharf in Santa Cruz, CA. A nearby pier was split in half.

Lt. Gov Eleni Kounalakis told CNN this week that it’s “a very difficult time in the state of California,” adding that the state has gone “for four years with very little rain to now suddenly in a three-week period, nine atmospheric rivers compressed into just such a short period of time – and this is about a year’s worth of rainfall in a wet year, not a drought year, a wet year, all at once.”

Millions have been under flood watches and evacuation orders, and saturated soil continues to cause extremely dangerous mudslides. The storm is now poised to bring heavy snow into the Four Corners region (between Utah, Colorado, New Mexico and Arizona) and across the Plains states, where meteorologists are expecting 6 to 11 inches of snow.

Fortunately, among promo companies in the Golden State, few have reported major damage at the time of this writing. Marine Layer (asi/68730) in San Francisco is operating normally, says Andrew Graham, senior director of wholesale and custom, as is nearby Timbuk2 (asi/91272).

“We’re glad to say that we’ve had minimal impact,” Timbuk2’s Sales Director Teresa Vincent told ASI Media. “We haven’t had to relocate our headquarters, and our distribution center out of northern California remains open and operational. Our phone service was spotty and down for a few brief hours during storms, but we were able to get it back up and running.”

Soren Goodman Korzen, general manager of Bay Print Solutions (asi/134077), also said the company has had “no issues.” In San Rafael, just north of San Francisco, Michael Bates, president of Ad Infin Item (asi/105106) said his firm hasn’t been impacted.

In Stockton, east of San Francisco, Jack Brown, a customer service rep for Branding Your Brand (asi/90200), says “everything is fine.”

Strong storm waters flood the Uvas Dam Spillway in Morgan Hill, CA, just south of San Jose.

But it’s a different situation at Robert M. Tasner & Associates (asi/341856) in Carmel, CA, on the Monterey Peninsula. Owner Bob Tasner told ASI Media on Jan. 12 that heavy rain and subsequent flooding have “caused numerous problems” and slowed down business.

“We were in the direct path of the storms,” Tasner said. “All rivers are at or above flood stage. Travel throughout the area is difficult, so not much is getting done. Many places are closed due to power outages and evacuation orders.”

Monterey County reports that storm damage there will cost an estimated $30 million to public infrastructure and between $40 million and $50 million in agriculture industry losses. Officials expect that figure to rise as they assess the situation further. Across the state, repair costs are likely to exceed $1 billion.

In Merced, CA, about two hours east of San Jose, Tim O’Neill, president/CEO of Image Masters (asi/230071), reported that while his company is operating as usual, nearby residents aren’t so lucky. “Many of our neighbors had significant damage, particularly in nearby Planada,” he said of a town about 15 minutes to the east. “We’re working on a T-shirt fundraiser, and also exploring the possibility of mobilizing local college students to assist with cleanup efforts and providing them with a free shirt.” 

A mockup of the design that O’Neill and his team are planning to use for a fundraiser to benefit nearby Planada, CA, which was impacted by major flooding.

As the storm moves inland, authorities and residents in California continue the cleanup effort. The danger remains, however, with the lingering risk of mudslides, which can destroy roads and buildings and claim lives. Over 500 mudslides have been reported since Dec. 30.

The remnants of a mudslide on Casitas Pass Road near Santa Barbara, CA, last week.

A stretch of much-needed dry weather this week will help crews repair power lines and roads, including filling in sinkholes, clearing rocks and debris, and shoring up bridges that have been dangerously weakened by flood waters. President Joe Biden is expected to visit the state and meet with first responders and state and local officials on Thursday, Jan. 19.