Update: Madera sheriff calls for state of emergency amid heavy snow. Latest highway closures

The latest on storms rolling across California:

Madera County disaster declaration

12:45 p.m.: Madera County Sheriff Tyson Pogue said Wednesday he will submit an application for a state of emergency after the region has been pummeled by snow.

The application would go to the Board of Supervisors for consideration before it could be sent to Gov. Gavin Newsom’s Office.

“We will continue to closely monitor this evolving situation,” Pogue said on social media. “The extreme conditions amidst ongoing storm activity require a high level of immediate attention.”

The county has seen widespread downed trees, road hazards and power outages amid snowfall, he said. Local resources have been strained.

“We have deployed all available resources to address the needs of the community, and look forward to the additional support this proclamation will provide,” he said.

The National Weather Service in Hanford said the region got nearly 3 feet of snow between Saturday and Tuesday, which is about 230% more than average compared to the typical year.

Thousands of users in the foothills in Madera, Mariposa and Fresno counties remain without power, which failed beginning Friday, according to Pacific Gas and Electric.

The weather service said there’s a potential for more storms in the region this weekend.

Ponding basin floods

A temporary ponding basin at Janet Young Elementary School on Cortland Avenue off of Locan Avenue in east Fresno flooded Wednesday, according to the city of Fresno.

Officials recommend drivers stay clear of the area.

Highway closures

4:30 p.m.: Interstate 5 at the Grapevine is open again to traffic with an escort, the CHP reported on social media.

12:30 p.m.: As of the lunch hour, highways connecting to the San Joaquin Valley remained closed as snow continued into the afternoon, according to the California Highway Patrol.

Highway 58 and Interstate 5 were closed because of snow and ice that began early in the morning, CHP said. No estimated time on a re-opening was available.

Highway 168 in eastern Fresno County has been closed since the weekend and is not expected to open any sooner than the coming weekend, according to officials at the China Peak Mountain Resort.

There’s so much snow that just clearing it from the road is not enough because visitors would still not be able to park, Caltrans District 6 spokesperson Elizabeth Yelton said.

She confirmed 168 would likely not be open any sooner than the weekend, adding officials are looking at what they can do to transport snow out of the area.

“We’ve got every piece of equipment we have moving,” she said.

Highway 41 also remained closed both ways around Jackson Road north of Oakhurst.

The National Weather Service in Hanford issued a Freeze Warning for Thursday morning in the central San Joaquin Valley, where the low temperatures are expected to get to 32 degrees or colder.

“Frost and freeze conditions will kill sensitive vegetation, and possibly damage unprotected outdoor plumbing,” the service said on social media.

8:15 a.m.: Caltrans cut off more of Highway 41 from traffic on Wednesday as snowfall affects mountain roads.

The highway had been closed at Fish Camp before the entrance to Yosemite National Park, but officials said Wednesday the highway closure was moved farther south, from Cedar Valley Drive to Jackson Road.

There was no estimated time for its re-opening, Caltrans said.

Yosemite is also closed without an estimate on when it will open again. Officials reported 15 feet of snow in some areas.

8 a.m.: Snow was falling around the 1,800-foot elevation line in eastern Fresno County, leading the California Highway Patrol to ask drivers to refrain from unnecessary travel.

A Nissan overturned on Auberry and Powerhouse roads about 7 a.m., officer Mike Salas said. No injuries were reported.

The CHP used the crash as a reminder to drivers to wear their seatbelts and carry chains in their vehicles.

“Please expect hazardous driving conditions throughout the week and evaluate your need to travel,” CHP said in social media post.

7:45 a.m.: Closed since Saturday, Highway 168 is not expected to re-open until at least the coming weekend, according to China Peak Mountain Resort.

The highway to the Sierra has been closed at the bottom of the four-lane section since Friday.

China Peak officials say they’ve gotten 10 to 12 feet of snow in the past six days. The resort will not open until Highway 168 re-opens, they said.

6 a.m.: The high-elevation sections of Highway 58 and Interstate 5 were closed to Fresno-area commuters Wednesday morning due to ice and snow, officials said.

The Grapevine and Tehachapi Pass were deemed unsafe in both directions for travel and needed to be cleared, Caltrans and the California Highway Patrol said about 6 a.m.

The National Weather Service in Hanford said snow is expected to continue to fall into the afternoon.

Heavy rainfall fell in isolated areas of Fresno County and caused isolated flooding incidents late Tuesday, according to meteorologists.

The California Highway Patrol reported that the intersection of Auberry Road and Copper Avenue was submerged about 8 p.m.

2 a.m.: Multiple accidents were caused when a tree fell on Highway 99 near Visalia, including one in which a deputy was injured, according to the California Highway Patrol.

The Tulare County Sheriff’s deputy identified only as “deputy Cardenas” was in a patrol vehicle headed north on Highway 99 south of Avenue 328 following a call for service in Kingsburg about 1:55 a.m., CHP said.

The storm overnight had caused a eucalyptus tree to fall from the center divider onto railing and the roadway, CHP said.

There was low visibility as the deputy drove at about 70 mph before he hit the tree, CHP said. He had minor injuries and the car took major damage.

Two other crashes were also related to the fallen tree, CHP said.