KINGSBURG (KMJ) — The fight against flooding in Tulare County continues, with local and state agencies joining in the battle to repel the spread of the Kings River.
But crews on scene report that the amount of water flowing downhill is receding. The Army Corps of Engineers reveals releases from Pine Flat Dam Monday morning were 13,000 cfs, from 14,200 cfs Sunday morning.
That’s little comfort to the residents of approximately 90 homes near the Kings River Golf & County Club, who remain under mandatory evacuation orders. Both Tulare County Sheriff’s Deputies and Tulare County Firefighters have been going door to door advising residents that they have to leave.
“We do know that there is still a large amount of snow up high,” reveals Tulare County Sheriff Mike Boudreaux. “With the excessive heat, just like a snow cone, it’s all melting.”
The California National Guard is one of several state agencies pitching in to support Tulare County’s efforts to protect area homes, using helicopters to move sandbags and repair breaches on the Kings River. Cal OES, CAL FIRE, and the California Department of Water Resources are also taking part in coordinated efforts to minimize the floodwater’s impact.
.@theCaGuard begins air operation to help @TulareCoFire fill Kings River levee breach. pic.twitter.com/vMVbNvI6dO
— Eric Lamoureux (@EricALamoureux) June 25, 2017
Locals forced out of their homes are being directed towards the American Red Cross’ evacuation center at Reedley High School.
“Within a six hour period we try to turn a gym into a mass care facility,” reveals center manager Christopher Kawaguchi. “We always want to try to get as much information as possible…just getting bulk items in such as water, blankets, cots, can be a task in itself. We prepare for that by bringing in trailers throughout the county.”
It comes after flooding impacted residences further north in Fresno County, when the Kings River prompted mandatory evacuations in Riverbend Mobile Home Park in Sanger on Tuesday (click here to read more).
Hear the report from KMJ’s Dominic McAndrew as it aired:
