Tulare County sheriff downgrades some evacuation orders to warnings

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

Many Tulare County communities are recovering from the damage left by a dozen atmospheric rivers that have hit California since December.

Following a series of winter storms, Tulare County will stay dry over the weekend, but another storm system will move into the area on Monday and last through Wednesday, according to National Weather Service. The heaviest day of rain is expected on Tuesday.

Over a half-inch of rain is expected.

Due to the rising flood waters and breaches along the levee, an evacuation order was issued for areas west of Highway 43, including north of Angiola, to the Tulare/Kings County line south to the Tulare/Kern County line in Allensworth.

The area will included:

  • West Boundary: East of Tulare/Kings County Line: Road 16 also known as 4th Avenue

  • South Boundary: South to the Tulare/Kern County Line: County Line Road

  • East Boundary: Highway 43

  • North Boundary: Highway 43 at Santa Fe Avenue

Boudreaux also reduced some evacuation orders to evacuation warnings for areas impacted by severe flooding. An evacuation warning means that residents may return to the area but should remain prepared to leave if conditions change, according to sheriff's officials.

Sheriff's department staff continue to deliver food and water to communities isolated by flood waters or snow. In Alpaugh, volunteers dropped off boxes of food and bottled water at the Tulare County Fire station, and in Ponderosa, where residents have been snowed in off and on since the beginning of March.

The following evacuation orders have been reduced to warnings:

Three Rivers: The evacuation warnings includes all homes, businesses and access roads on North Fork Drive to the roads end; all homes, businesses and access roads on South Fork Drive to the National Park; and all homes, businesses and access roads along the Kaweah River, Sierra Drive (Highway 198) to the National Park Boundary.

Mineral King Road is closed at the washout at approximately Mile Marker four and a half (4.5). All residents on Mineral King Road past Mile Marker 4.5 should Shelter in Place and not attempt to drive on the roadways.

Cutler: The warning includes businesses and homes along Road 124, south of Avenue 408, down to Railroad Drive to Santa Fe Drive, which turns into Eddy, from Avenue 407 to Lee Road to Avenue 408. The road is closed at Road 124, south of Avenue 408.

Springville: The warning is in place for the south bank of the Tule River, homes and businesses from the Lower Rio Vista, east of Bridge Drive to east of Pleasant Oak Drive on Highway 190. This will include all roads, access roads and areas in between. Not included is Pleasant Oak Drive.

Teviston: The warning includes homes and businesses south of Avenue 84, south on Road 128, Road 130 to Deer Creek, east along the north bank of Deer Creek to Road 140, north on Road 140, to Avenue 84, west on Road 84 to Road 128, and all roads and avenues in between.

Boudreaux urges people to stay clear and out of the river areas and to avoid getting near the waterways. For additional resources or information, please call 559-802-9791 or refer to the County of Tulare website, emergencies page at: TulareCounty.ca.gov/emergencies.

This article originally appeared on Visalia Times-Delta: Tulare County sheriff downgrades some evacuation orders to warnings