Tulare County road closures, flood damage: What you should know about incoming storm

Sheyanne N Romero, Visalia Times-Delta
·6 min read

As another atmospheric river moves into California, first responders and Tulare County’s Resource Management Agency (RMA), Roads Division staff are prepared to respond.

A flood advisory is in place until 12:45 p.m. Tuesday, but the lasting effects may be felt all week. Minor flooding is possible in low-lying or areas with poor drainage. Water covering roadways could be caused by excessive rainfall.

This system will bring "moderate to heavy rainfall" to much of the valley, foothills, and mountains, according to National Weather Service. Even with less rain in the forecast, the increase precipitation and snowfall totals continue to impact already extremely saturated soils.

"Throughout the county, stories reverberate of rising water, stranded people, impassible roads, neighbors helping neighbors, and brave rescue," RMA officials stated. "As the community braces for another round of storms, RMA Roads Crews are ready to respond."

In anticipation of the storm, the Army Corps of Engineers has planned a release of water from Lake Kaweah at the Terminus Dam due to an influx of water in the lake which will impact waterways throughout Visalia. Releasing water will likely include a release over the spillway, which is not a dam failure, but a planned operation, city officials said.

The spillway at Lake Success is already operational.

The city of Visalia has also declared a state of emergency.

“We are preparing for different scenarios that could take place over the next 48 hours and are working with local agencies to ensure that our city is ready,” Visalia Fire Chief Dan Griswold said. “With the Declaration of a Local Emergency, we advise people to wait for official communication and know that we are working on plans and services."

Debris carried by storm waters in the North Fork Tulare River on Monday, March 13, 2023 along Highway 190.
Debris carried by storm waters in the North Fork Tulare River on Monday, March 13, 2023 along Highway 190.

Flood damage

Last week's storm proved to be everything predicted and more.

Before noon on Friday, Springville and Three Rivers were flooded and evacuations were underway.

CalTrans closed portions of highways 190 and 198 due to flooding. Many residents were stranded due to unsafe road and bridge conditions.

The Tule River Reservation was completely isolated due to a nearly complete washout of Reservation Road. Repairs were made to restore access to and from the reservation.

"Crews continued to go above and beyond the call of duty to ensure the public remained safe in ever changing conditions," RMA officials stated. "They worked around the clock to evaluate and closed roadways that were impassible due to flood conditions."

Crews cleared mudflows, rockslides, downed trees and debris throughout the county. More than 100 county roads were signed with “road closed,” representing hundreds of miles of flooded roadway.

By Friday afternoon, so many roads were flooded that crews were running out of signs. As the rains subsided over the weekend, crews worked to restore access to heavily damaged roads.

Those experiencing flood damage are encouraged to fill out an online damage report. Additional resources are available with a full list on the county’s emergencies website.

Terminus dam on Monday, March 13, 2023.
Terminus dam on Monday, March 13, 2023.

What to do if your home has flood damage?

Residents whose homes have water intrusion damage need to be aware that flood water may contain sewage and other containments.

Flood waters and standing waters pose many health risks, including infectious diseases and chemical hazards, county officials said. Residents affected by power outages due to flooding, should throw away spoiled food, this includes food that may have thawed and re-frozen.

Residents should also move and throw away anything that can't be washed and disinfected due to possible contamination. Children and pets should stay away from water damage until clean-up is complete.

Current road closures

Ivanhoe/Woodlake/Exeter/Visalia/Tulare

  • Lort Drive east of Road 196

  • Dry Creek north of Highway 216 to Homer Ranch, north of M6

  • Yokhol Drive between Highway 198 and Rocky Hill Drive

  • Spruce at Marinette

  • Road 152 from Avenue 224 to Highway 137

  • Road 196 at Highway 198 to Avenue 300

  • Avenue 226 from Road 228 to Road 240

  • Avenue 304 at Road 212

  • Avenue 300 at Road 212

  • Avenue 312 between Road 196 and Road 204

  • Road 224 is closed between Avenue 304 and Avenue 306

Three Rivers

  • “Airport” bridge on North Fork

  • “Connelly” bridge on South Fork

  • Mineral King RD (beyond Hammond Drive)

Pixley/Earlimart/Richgrove

  • Road 88 from Avenue 56 to Avenue 88

  • Road 144 from Avenue 24 to Avenue 40

  • Road 152 from Avenue 24 to Avenue 40

  • Road 156 from Avenue 32 to Avenue 40

  • Road 184 from Avenue 24 to Avenue 32

Porterville/Terra Bella/Strathmore

  • Fir at Foothill

  • Fir at Hillcrest

  • Reservation Road at Chimney Road

  • Road 176 from Avenue 56 to Avenue 96

  • Road 188 between Avenue 242 and Avenue 256

  • Road 192 from Avenue 24 to Avenue 40

  • Road 192 from Avenue 96 to Avenue 112

  • Road 208 from Avenue 112 to Avenue 88

  • Road 216 at Ave 256

  • Road 224 from Avenue 96 to Avenue 112

  • Road 232 from Avenue 56 to D205

  • Road 236 from Avenue 60 to Avenue 80

  • Road 236 from Ave 196 to Ave 200

  • Road 248 from Avenue 108 to Avenue 120

  • Road 256 from Avenue 108 to Avenue 116

  • Road 256 from Avenue 196 to Avenue 204

  • Road 272 from Avenue 120 south to the End

  • Avenue 12 from State Route 65 to Road 224

  • Avenue 88 from Road 164 to Road 184

  • Avenue 112 from Road 224 to Road 208

  • Avenue 120 from Road 236 to Road 244

  • Avenue 184 at Diagonal 242

  • Avenue 184 at Orange Belt Drive

  • Avenue 190 at Road 236

  • Avenue 194 at Diagonal 242

  • Avenue 194 at Orange Belt Drive

  • Avenue 196 at Road 256

  • D205 from Road 232 to Avenue 32

  • Road 264 (Old Stage Rd) is closed at Deer Creek between Ave 116 and Ave 108

Springville

  • Bridge over Tule River on Upper Globe Drive

  • Tule river Bridge over lower globe drive in Springville is closed.

  • Harris Road at Balch Park Road

  • Balch Park Road at Milo Bridge

  • Bear Creek Road at M-239

  • Road 296 from Mountain Road 120 to Mountain Road 137

  • M-120 from Road 272 to Road 296

  • M-137 from Success Valley Road to State Route 190

  • M-137 from Rd. 296 to M-160

  • M-276 (Blue Ridge)  from M-270 to end

  • M-296 (Balch Park) at M-276 (Blue Ridge)

Camp Nelson

  • Highway 190 between 1.6 miles east of Pierpoint and 9.6 miles east of Pierpoint

Dinuba 

  • Boyd Drive north of Road 168 1/2

  • Avenue 360 from Road 52 to Road 76

  • Avenue 360 from Road 80 to Road 100

  • Avenue 368 from Road 84

  • Avenue 416 at Road 168 1/2

Cutler Orosi

  • Road 108 from Avenue 368 to Avenue 384

  • Road 144 from Avenue 416 to Avenue 416

  • Avenue 404 at Highway 245

Ponderosa/Pine Flat/ California Hot Springs/Johnsondale

  • Mountain Road 50 from Mile Post 10.5 to Mountain Road 99

  • Mountain Road 99 from the Tulare County Line to Kern River/M50

  • Mountain Road 160 from Mountain Road 137 to State Route 190

  • Mountain Road 137 from Road 284 to Reservation Road

  • Manter Meadows at Mountain Road 56

  • Manter Meadow Road at Capinero creek in Pine Flat

This article originally appeared on Visalia Times-Delta: What you should know about incoming storm