KINGSBURG (KMJ) — A number of Tulare County residents forced out of their homes by flooding can now start to return.
Officials have downgraded the evacuation orders for impacted regions around the Kings River Golf & Country Club, meaning locals can return to areas which were once threatened by the the expanded flows (click here to read more).
“Everyone’s concerned with the amount of water coming down,” reveals Tulare County Sheriff Mike Boudreaux. “We’re monitoring it…we have had some residents we have asked to vacate which they have politely done so. We’ve helped as much as we possibly can.”
Those whose homes lie within Avenue 393 to Avenue 408, and Road 28 to Road 33, have their mandatory evacuation order (which means they should leave) downgraded to a voluntary evacuation advisory (which means they should be prepared for conditions to deteriorate).
That announcement came from Tulare County officials Tuesday evening.
Some areas west of the Kings River also remain under a voluntary evacuation advisory. Officials state that will be in effect until flows return to normal levels and permanent repairs can be made to the damaged river banks.
Returning residents are being warned that flood-water may contain sewage and other contaminants.
“Flood waters and standing waters pose various risks, including infectious diseases, chemical hazards, and injuries,” writes Tulare County’s Carrie Monteiro in a statement sent to KMJ News.
“For areas affected by power outages due to flooding, residents should throw away any and all spoiled food, including food in freezers which may have thawed and re-frozen.”
A mandatory evacuation order remains in place for those living in Kingsburg’s Riverland Resort as that area remains underwater.
Hear the report from KMJ’s Dominic McAndrew as it aired:
