How Many Days Will Valley Get to Dry Out Before Storms Return?

Enjoy the sunshine while you can. The National Weather Service says there’s a 20% chance that light rain could return Friday evening and linger through the weekend.

Then, beginning on Monday, Fresno and surrounding Valley communities could see moderate to heavy precipitation lasting two days.

“Model ensemble means are showing another strong storm system is possible early next week,” NWS Hanford said in its Wednesday morning forecast discussion. “Widespread moderate to heavy
precipitation could return by Monday with current timing focused on Tuesday for the brunt of the system.”

This winter has brought record-breaking rain and snow to many locations in California. Tuesday was no exception, as NWS recorded 1.42 inches of rain at Merced Airport on Tuesday.

Related Story: Dry Local Lake, Once a Giant, Expected to Return to Life This Year

Madera County Deals With Mudslides

Sheriff’s deputies in Madera County worked with public works crews overnight Tuesday to clear flood-triggered damage such as sinkholes, blocked culverts, and mudslides.

Officials remind residents needing help, supplies, or shelter to call  (559) 675-7770 for assistance.

A mudslide blocks Road 222 near Road 432 near  Bass Lake in Madera County on Tuesday, March 14, 2023. (Facebook/Madera County SO)

Don’t Remove Road Closure Signs!

Late Wednesday morning, officials in Tulare County asked residents not to remove road closure signs or drive around them.

“We have had several instances of community members disregarding road signage, creating a safety hazard for themselves and other individuals,” the county said in a social media post. “Our crews will remove signs when the roadway is determined to be safe. Do not risk taking valuable time and resources away from our Public Safety officers should you need to be rescued!”

Related Story: California Storms Create Paradox: Too Much Water in Reservoirs, Too Soon

Watch: Filling Breach in the Levee With Pick-up Trucks

I have never seen this type of #flood control measure before! Here is how some farmers deal with a breach in the Tulare Lake bottom. I assume they will pile some additional dirt on. #cawater #cawx #farm #agriculture pic.twitter.com/QXP720RqjJ

— Cannon Michael (@agleader) March 14, 2023

Nearly 170,000 Without Power in California

Just a handful of Fresno area PG&E customers were without power on Wednesday.

But more than 187,000 utility customers in California remained without power, according to PowerOutage.us.

Statewide, about 27,000 people are still under evacuation orders and more than 61,000 were under warnings to be ready to evacuate due to weather impacts, according to the California Office of Emergency Services.

Watch: Kern River Flooding — Before and After

(The Associated Press contributed to this story.)