High Sierra Topix

The Fresno County Sheriff’s is working with members of the California Office of Emergency Services, Cal Fire, Fresno County Public Works and the Tranquillity Irrigation District to monitor a potential hazardous situation in an area northwest of the town of Tranquillity. All agencies are focused on a weakened levee that sits in the area of the Fresno Slough, where the San Joaquin River and Kings River meet. Crews are monitoring this spot 24 hours a day. As a precaution, the Sheriff’s Office has issued evacuation advisories to approximately 80 homes to let them know they could face a possible flood situation if the levee were to break. Early projections show that water, two to three feet deep, would most likely flow to an area west of the town of Tranquillity. Those impacted would be in the areas bordered by Manning Ave., James Road., Tuolumne Ave. and the Fresno Slough. The Fresno County Sheriff’s Office will provide updates to residents through social media, Everbridge and the local media if there are any major changes with the levee.

SAN FRANCISCO — Evacuations were ordered in Northern California on Monday and flash-flood warnings were issued elsewhere as downpours swelled creeks and rivers to potentially dangerous levels in the already soggy region.

A levee break along the San Joaquin River prompted an evacuation order for about 500 people living in mainly ranch and farmlands near Manteca, San Joaquin County authorities said.

The gap was filled and the leak halted Monday night but the evacuations and a flash flood warning remained in effect into Tuesday morning.

Crews worked Monday night to patch the breach, which followed an earlier warning that the river was approaching the top of levees and could remain at that level for four days.

"When the water gets that high and more water is coming, there is just too much pressure and levees can break," said Tim Daly, a spokesman with the San Joaquin County Office of Emergency Services.

In Monterey County, people living along a section of the Carmel River were told to leave, as were those in a neighborhood of Salinas near Santa Rita Creek and a few people in rural Royal Oaks, where a mudslide encroached on a home.

In Lake County, northwest of Sacramento, about 100 homes in two mobile home parks and nearby streets were ordered evacuated because nearby Clear Lake was a foot above flood stage, county Sheriff Brian Martin said.

Lumbergh21 wrote:Wettest drought ever.

In Lake County, northwest of Sacramento, about 100 homes in two mobile home parks and nearby streets were ordered evacuated because nearby Clear Lake was a foot above flood stage, county Sheriff Brian Martin said.