Sheriff Boudreaux has issued Evacuation Orders for the Three Rivers Area

Sheriff Boudreaux has issued Evacuation Orders for the Three Rivers Area.

The Evacuation Order will include all homes and businesses on North Fork Drive, south of the Baillie Bridge to Sierra Drive (Highway 198); All homes and businesses on South Fork Drive, north of Conley Bridge to Sierra Drive (Highway 198); All homes and businesses along the Middle Fork, Sierra Drive (Highway 198) to the National Park Boundary, including Mineral King Road.

Sheriff Boudreaux has also recommended all homes on North Fork Drive, north of the Bailey Bridge and all homes on South Fork Drive, south of the Connelly Bridge to Shelter in Place.

An Evacuation Order has also been issued for the Springville area along the south bank of the Tule River; for the homes and businesses from the Lower Rio Vista east of Bridge Drive to east of Pleasant Oak Drive on Highway 190. This will include all roads, access roads and areas in between. Not included is Pleasant Oak Drive.

Due to the increase of the river flow, Sheriff Boudreaux urges people to stay clear of the roadways.

Highway 190 will be closed east of Pleasant Oaks Drive on Highway 190.

Follow these general safety tips around flooded or snowed-in areas:

• Never drive into flood waters, as they are deeper, colder and faster-moving than they appear.
• Do not operate electrical equipment in standing water.
• Operate generators ONLY in well-ventilated areas.
• Do not use ovens, ranges or barbeques for home heating.

For updates during major events, including storms and flooding, visit the Tulare County Emergencies website at https://tularecounty.ca.gov/emergencies/ (https://tularecounty.ca.gov/emergencies/), register for AlertTC at https://www.alerttc.com/ (https://www.alerttc.com/), and follow the County of Tulare, the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office and the Tulare County Fire Department on social media.

Sheriff Boudreaux has also issued Shelter in Place Orders for the homes and businesses along the Kern River area Mountain Highway 99 Johnsondale/ Riverkern, and North Fork, north of the Bailey Bridge, South Fork, south of the Connnelly bridge.

Sandbags are available at many locations throughout Tulare County. For a list and map of locations, visit: https://tularecounty.ca.gov/emergencies/ (https://tularecounty.ca.gov/emergencies/)

Tulare County Temporary Evacuation Points (TEP)

Tulare County has established Temporary Evacuation Points (TEP) for those in need of resources and information regarding the recent storms. TEPs are safe staging areas for people to congregate that may be (or have been) displaced due to an emergency or disaster. The following TEPs are open and available for Tulare County residents:

Dinuba Memorial Hall

249 S. Alta Ave. in Dinuba

Hours of Operation: 7:30 a.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Porterville College Gym

100 E. College Ave. in Porterville

Hours of Operation: 7:30 a.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Shelter: Exeter Veterans Memorial Building

324 N. Kaweah Ave.

Hours: Open 24 Hours a Day