SANGER (KMJ) — Triple-digit heat is now melting the snow, increasing the amount of water flowing through the Kings River, and flooding a Sanger based mobile home park.
Residents in the front portion of the Riverbend Mobile Home Park are currently subject to an evacuation warning, while those living in the approximately 15 homes to the rear of the site have been given mandatory evacuation notices.
That announcement came Tuesday, and prompted the American Red Cross to immediately set up an evacuation center at Reedley High School.
“We’re trying to shelter anyone who went through the mandatory evacuations,” detailed center manager Christopher Kawaguchi.
As of 6am Wednesday, six people were being housed inside the school’s converted basketball court; seven animals were also being taken care of by the Central California Animal Disaster Team.
“From what we’ve been hearing, 40 people have expressed interest in wanting shelter. Whether 40 people come in is up in the air, but this shelter can hold 200 people if need be. I don’t expect to have 200 people but we’re more than equipped to meet the needs of whoever needs sheltering.”
Just over nine miles north, the mobile home park itself was being monitored by Fresno County Sheriff’s Deputies.
“The morale is high out here,” revealed Darrell Jenkins as he surveyed the flooded roads surrounding the trailers.
“We had a barbecue over across the street here. I know the guys back there were having a barbecue in the back. They’re trapped, they’re back there, and just staying.”
Hear the report from KMJ’s Dominic McAndrew as it aired:
