Latest evacuation warnings in Fresno region with atmospheric river storm arriving soon

Melissa Montalvo

Ahead of a strong atmospheric river storm coming to the central San Joaquin Valley and Sierra region later this week, some Madera County residents should prepare to evacuate.

Madera County officials issued an evacuation warning Wednesday for communities near the mountains and along the San Joaquin River due to the anticipated rains expected to arrive Thursday that likely will cause flooding.

The atmospheric river storm will be warmer than previous systems in recent weeks. Most of the lower-elevation snow in the region is likely to be melted away by the rainfall, which creates a great potential for flooded or washed-out roads in the mountains and possible flooding in communities on the floor of the San Joaquin Valley.

The following locations in Madera County are impacted by the warning:

  • Cascadel Woods subdivision, MDC-E061-B, east of Whiskey Creek. Impacted areas include east of the bridge, as well as Cascadel Drive North, Cascadel Lane, Waterfall Way, Gertrude Creek Drive, Cascadel Drive, Cascadel Drive South, Cascadel Road

  • Bass Lake Mobile Home Park (North Fork), MDC-60B-A. The impacted zone includes large swaths of the North Fork Recreation Area Memorial Park and is located north of Road 225, south of Roads 274 and 230, east of Road 230, and west of Road 230.

  • Church Street along Willow Creek (North Fork), MDC-88A-B. The impacted zone is located between the North Fork Town Hall and the North Fork Elementary School. The impacted zone is north of Road 222, east of Road 222, south of Road 225, Willow Creek Drive, and Amber Lane, and west of Willow Creek Drive.

  • Wildwood Mobile Home Park, MDC-E129A. Impacted areas include north of Burgundy Lane, east of Highway 41, south of Redwood, and west of Cottonwood. The mobile home park is located just north of the San Joaquin River.

The Madera County Sheriff´s Office warned there could be a potential threat to life and property and suggested those who require more time to evacuate should leave now.

Parts of Fresno County foothill and mountain communities have also been issued evacuation warnings and the entire San Joaquin Valley is on flood watch due to the upcoming storm.

How to prepare for evacuation

Those who require additional time to evacuate, and those with pets and livestock should leave now.

The Madera County Sheriff´s Office said it may be “impossible” to rescue or provide lifesaving assistance to anyone who decides to stay at their property after the onset of the emergency. Residents could be stranded for several days.

Impacted residents should monitor the situation and be prepared to take action immediately.

Don’t wait for an evacuation order to leave if you feel threatened, the sheriff’s office said.

If you need assistance evacuating, call 559-675-7770. If it is an emergency, call 911.

An interactive map with the current evacuation status is available at maderaaware.com.

Madera residents can pick up emergency sand and sand bags at a number of locations throughout the county, including in Madera, Oakhurst, North Fork, Coarsegold, and Chowchilla. A complete list is available here.

A list of emergency resources available on the Madera County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page.

Water swells along the banks of the Dry Creek overflow while moving toward the San Joaquin River near Ball Ranch on North Friant Road on Wednesday, March 8, 2023. Heavy rain from a warm atmospheric river is forecast for the next few days causing alarm for possible flooding.
Water swells along the banks of the Dry Creek overflow while moving toward the San Joaquin River near Ball Ranch on North Friant Road on Wednesday, March 8, 2023. Heavy rain from a warm atmospheric river is forecast for the next few days causing alarm for possible flooding.

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