Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
Fresno County Expands Flood-Zone Evacuation Warning: 'Be Ready for Unrivaled Flood Event'
gvw_nancy_price
By Nancy Price, Multimedia Journalist
Published 2 years ago on
March 9, 2023

Share

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Fresno County officials renewed their dire warnings Thursday about the winter storm that’s forecast to drop 2 to 3 inches of rain on the Valley floor and as much as 8 inches in the Sierra starting Thursday afternoon.

Please everyone, be ready for this unrivaled flood event.” — Kris Mattarochia, National Weather Service meteorologist

The minimum stream flows that have been predicted are at the upper limit of what the water management systems can handle, said Kris Mattarochia, a National Weather Service meteorologist.

“Please everyone, be ready for this unrivaled flood event,” he said.

Gov. Gavin Newsom added Fresno County to the list of California counties in a state of emergency proclamation due to the threat of flooding.

Sheriff John Zanoni announced Thursday that the county expanded the evacuation warning area, which previously encompassed all the foothills from the Madera County line south to Tulare County, and now follows the Kings River from Pine Flat through the Sanger area, Reedley and southward to Tulare County.

Heavy rain on top of recent record snowfall at lower elevations could make for life-threatening flood conditions in the foothills and Valley, Zanoni said.

“Right now, what we’re looking at is that large amount of snow is going to be melted in a record amount of time because it’s not just by heat, by sun, but it’s going to be melted because we’re having a warm storm come in here,” he said.

The evacuation warning map for Fresno County on Thursday, March 9, 2023. (Fresno County)

Time to Get Ready Is Now

Zanoni said the county is making every effort to make sure residents have time to prepare in advance of the storm, which will not only drop a large amount of rain onto the Valley and foothills but also will produce significant snowmelt that will cause streams and creeks to become raging torrents.

Residents need to have a go-bag with clothing, medication, and other essentials packed and ready to grab at a moment’s notice.

“We’re prepared, because we want to make sure that we don’t lose one life in Fresno County because of this incident, because we’ve known it’s coming, and we’re prepared for it. And that’s why we’re taking precautions,” Zanoni said.

If an evacuation order is issued, residents may receive alerts through the Everbridge system on their smartphones or through weather radio, but some residents may first learn of it when deputies come knocking on their door. If that happens, residents need to be ready to leave immediately.

Storm Radar Map (NWS Hanford)

The county moved its evacuation shelter from Reedley College, which sits on the banks of the Kings River, to the Sanger Community Center, 730 Recreation Ave. The shelter, which is being operated by the Red Cross, will accommodate domesticated pets in kennels, but larger animals will need to go to the Fresno Fairgrounds in southeast Fresno.

Residents who live in low-lying areas such as the Reedley Mobile Home Park should be thinking now about moving to higher ground, officials said.

Zanoni said it’s better to relocate before the water starts rising, if you’re in a flood-prone area. Once the water rises it may be difficult or impossible for emergency services workers to reach you, he said.

Those who decide to stay at home should be prepared to remain there with enough food and medications for at least several days if roads are washed out by floodwaters, he said.

Preparing for Rising Water

Chief Dustin Hail of CalFire and Fresno County Fire said five crews have been clearing culverts and laying sandbags to protect flood-prone areas in the county and will be available to assist the public as needed. The agency has prepositioned six swift-water rescue teams to be ready to respond to emergencies, he said.

The storms that hit in January and flooded roadways will look minuscule compared to the water and flooding produced by the new storm, which Hail said will be “tenfold” stronger. Residents should not try to cross flooded roads, he said: ” You don’t want to become part of the emergency.”

Officials cautioned all county residents about venturing out on roadways during the storm if it’s not absolutely necessary.

The initial flood danger will initially be on the eastern part of the county as the rain and snowmelt run downhill, but as the water moves across the Valley it could threaten west-side communities such as Mendota and Firebaugh over the next few days.

And the storm that’s beginning Thursday won’t be the last one. More rain is forecast to arrive on Monday and continue next week, officials said.

Fresno County’s emergency operations center is currently at Level 1, the highest level, said emergency manager Terri Mejorado.

Fresno County Emergency Services asks the public to sign up for alerts from the Fresno County Sheriff’s office (via the QR codes above) and to heed all evacuation warnings. (Fresno County)

Thunderstorms Intensify Rain

The storm will be accompanied by thunderstorms that could intensify rain and be accompanied by higher wind gusts, Mattarochia said.

Because the soil is already saturated by recent rainstorms, even a small wind gust can be sufficient to knock over a tree or utility pole, he said.

And a thunderstorm cell could increase rainfall rates, “which can exacerbate the situation over some of these hot spots like Mill Creek, like the Kings River,” Mattarochia said.

Fresno County Emergency Website

Paul Nerland, the county’s emergency services director, said residents can stay on top of developments by checking the county’s emergency website at FresnoCountyEmergency.com.

The website includes links to sign up for emergency notifications and to find maps of evacuation warnings and orders and road closures.

For assistance with an evacuation, call the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office at (559) 600-3111. For emergencies, dial 911.

 

DON'T MISS

At 91, Willie Nelson Has a New Album Out and a Cannabis Cookbook Coming

DON'T MISS

Fresno State Bulldogs Stumble in Fourth Quarter, Suffer Narrow Loss to Hawai’i

DON'T MISS

From Blue Cheese to Bacon: Peanut Butter Pairings That Will Shock You

DON'T MISS

Challengers Seek Seats on Tulare County Irrigation District Boards

DON'T MISS

Shy Pup Finds Hope with Foster Family, Evasion from Euthanasia

DON'T MISS

Does Dill Have Magical Powers? What People Once Believed Food Could Do

DON'T MISS

Let’s Keep Innovative Partnerships Crucial to Combating Climate Change: Fresno Dairy Manager

DON'T MISS

Immediate Threat: Mussel Invades California’s Delta, First Time in North America

DON'T MISS

Two-Time Cy Young Winner Blake Snell Opts Out of Contract with Giants

DON'T MISS

No Matter the Outcome, We Are the True Losers of This Election

UP NEXT

Challengers Seek Seats on Tulare County Irrigation District Boards

UP NEXT

Shy Pup Finds Hope with Foster Family, Evasion from Euthanasia

UP NEXT

AMOR Wellness Trunk-or-Treat Brings 700 Mendota Residents Together for Halloween Fun

UP NEXT

What Kind of Trouble Is Miguel Arias Trying to Stir Up This Time?

UP NEXT

Fresno Man Shot to Death at NW Apartment Complex Is Identified

UP NEXT

SJV Water Founder Lois Henry Receives Prestigious Reporting Award

UP NEXT

Visalia Rollerblader Suffered Major Injuries After Being Struck by Vehicle

UP NEXT

Local Candidates Make Final Pitches at Fresno Hispanic Foundation Event

UP NEXT

Fresno County Man Indicted for Possessing Stolen Guns

UP NEXT

MAGA Hats OK at Polls, but Electioneering Is Strictly Prohibited

Nancy Price,
Multimedia Journalist
Nancy Price is a multimedia journalist for GV Wire. A longtime reporter and editor who has worked for newspapers in California, Florida, Alaska, Illinois and Kansas, Nancy joined GV Wire in July 2019. She previously worked as an assistant metro editor for 13 years at The Fresno Bee. Nancy earned her bachelor's and master's degrees in journalism at Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism. Her hobbies include singing with the Fresno Master Chorale and volunteering with Fresno Filmworks. You can reach Nancy at 559-492-4087 or Send an Email

Challengers Seek Seats on Tulare County Irrigation District Boards

1 day ago

Shy Pup Finds Hope with Foster Family, Evasion from Euthanasia

1 day ago

Does Dill Have Magical Powers? What People Once Believed Food Could Do

1 day ago

Let’s Keep Innovative Partnerships Crucial to Combating Climate Change: Fresno Dairy Manager

1 day ago

Immediate Threat: Mussel Invades California’s Delta, First Time in North America

2 days ago

Two-Time Cy Young Winner Blake Snell Opts Out of Contract with Giants

2 days ago

No Matter the Outcome, We Are the True Losers of This Election

2 days ago

Russia’s Swift March Forward in Ukraine’s East

2 days ago

Rapper Young Thug Is a Free Man. Here Are Things to Know About His Plea.

2 days ago

AMOR Wellness Trunk-or-Treat Brings 700 Mendota Residents Together for Halloween Fun

2 days ago

At 91, Willie Nelson Has a New Album Out and a Cannabis Cookbook Coming

NEW YORK — Young musicians looking for longevity would be wise to follow the sensible word of Willie Nelson: Do what feels right, and if you...

4 hours ago

4 hours ago

At 91, Willie Nelson Has a New Album Out and a Cannabis Cookbook Coming

12 hours ago

Fresno State Bulldogs Stumble in Fourth Quarter, Suffer Narrow Loss to Hawai’i

1 day ago

From Blue Cheese to Bacon: Peanut Butter Pairings That Will Shock You

1 day ago

Challengers Seek Seats on Tulare County Irrigation District Boards

1 day ago

Shy Pup Finds Hope with Foster Family, Evasion from Euthanasia

1 day ago

Does Dill Have Magical Powers? What People Once Believed Food Could Do

1 day ago

Let’s Keep Innovative Partnerships Crucial to Combating Climate Change: Fresno Dairy Manager

2 days ago

Immediate Threat: Mussel Invades California’s Delta, First Time in North America

Search

Send this to a friend