Evacuation Orders & Warnings

UPDATE as of March 24 at 11:30 a.m.

Evacuation Order Issued for Areas West of Highway 43

Due to the rising flood waters and breaches along the levee, officials have issued an Evacuation Order for areas west of Highway 43, including north of Angiola, to the Tulare/Kings County line south to the Tulare/ Kern County line in Allensworth.

Tulare County Sheriff Mike Boudreaux is urging people to stay clear and out of the river areas and to avoid getting near the waterways.

The area will included:

-West Boundary: East of Tulare/ Kings County Line: Road 16 also known as 4th Ave

-South Boundary: South to the Tulare/Kern County Line: County Line Road

-East Boundary: Highway 43

-North Boundary: Highway 43 at Santa Fe Ave

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

For additional resources or information, please call 559-802-9791.

 

UPDATE as of March 23 at 4:00 p.m.

Evacuation Orders Reduced Some Areas to Warnings

Officials have reduced some Evacuation Orders to Evacuation Warnings in several Tulare County areas. To clarify, An Evacuation Warning means that residents may return to the area but should remain prepared to leave if conditions change.

Three Rivers:

Evacuation Order to an Evacuation Warning for the Three Rivers Area. The Evacuation Warnings will include all residences, businesses and access roads on North Fork Drive to the roads end; all residences, businesses and access roads on South Fork Drive to the National Park; and all residences, businesses and access roads along the Kaweah River, Sierra Drive (Highway 198) to the National Park Boundary.

Mineral King Road is closed at the washout at approximately Mile Marker four and a half (4.5). All residents on Mineral King Road past Mile Marker 4.5 should Shelter in Place and not attempt to drive on the roadways.

Cutler Area:

Evacuation Order was reduced for parts of Cutler to an Evacuation Warning. The Evacuation Warning will include businesses and homes along Road 124, south of Avenue 408, down to Railroad Drive to Santa Fe Drive, which turns into Eddy, from Avenue 407 to Lee Road to Avenue 408. The road is closed at Road 124, south of Avenue 408.

Springville Area:

Officials reduced the Evacuation Order to an Evacuation Warning in 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.

Teviston:

Officials reduced the Evacuation Order for the Community of Teviston to an Evacuation Warning for the residents and businesses south of Avenue 84, south on Road 128, Road 130 to Deer Creek, east along the north bank of Deer Creek to Road 140, north on Road 140, to Avenue 84, west on Road 84 to Road 128, and all roads and avenues in between.

For additional resources or information, please call 559-802-9791.

 

UPDATE as of March 19 at 4:00 p.m.

Evacuation Order issued for the north and south bank of the Tule River in Porterville, from Westwood Street, east to the area of the Plano Bridge. 

This evacuation order does not include the south bank from Westwood Street, east to the bridge of State Route 65. 

This evacuation order does not include permanent structures with a designated address, other than those for which a previous evacuation order has been issued.

A Temporary Evacuation point has been set up at Porterville College, 100 E College Avenue.

Follow these general safety tips around flooded 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.
 
For more information, visit the Tulare County Emergencies website at https://tularecounty.ca.gov/emergencies/, register for AlertTC at https://www.alerttc.com/.

 

UPDATE as of March 19 at 7:00 a.m.

Evacuation Orders issued for Alpaugh and Allensworth, Asks Residents to Prepare for Additional Water Hazards

Due to the recent flooding events throughout the areas of Alpaugh and Allensworth and the possibility of residents becoming isolated due to impassible roadways, officials issued an Evacuation Order for all homes and businesses in the Alpaugh and Allensworth area.
 
The Evacuation Order would consist of all roads, avenues and access roads within Alpaugh and Allensworth.
 
The current evacuation route at this time is to take Avenue 54 westbound to Virginia Avenue to 6th Avenue, take 6th Avenue northbound to Utica Avenue, Utica Avenue westbound to Interstate 5.
Please note northbound 6th Avenue is closed at Quebec, with other roadways becoming impacted by flood water. 6th Avenue southbound to Garces Highway is also covered in water.
 
Residents in the Allensworth area are recommended to take Palmer Avenue eastbound to Highway 43, Highway 43 southbound to Garces Highway, Garces Highway eastbound to Highway 99 northbound.
Officials urge people to stay clear of the waterways due to increased river flows.
 
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.
 
For more information, visit the Tulare County Emergencies website at https://tularecounty.ca.gov/emergencies/, register for AlertTC at https://www.alerttc.com/.

 

UPDATE as of March 18 at 7:00 p.m.

Evacuation Order downgraded for Sections of Tule River to Evacuation Warning

Due to the water levels dropping in Tule River below the Schafer Dam, at Lake Success, officials reduced the Evacuation Order to an Evacuation Warning for all homes, businesses, and structures, on both sides of the

Tule River, from Richard L. Schafer Dam at Lake Success in Porterville, to the east side of Road 284.

The Evacuation Warning would consist of the area from Schafer Dam, west on Avenue 146, to Road 284, south on Road 284 to the south side of the Tule River, from the south side of the Tule River to the Schafer Dam, and north along Schafer Dam to Avenue 146.

We remind everyone that, even while being in an Evacuation Warning, you should still be ready to leave if conditions get worse. Stay clear of the river areas and to avoid getting near the waterways.

For more information, visit the Tulare County Emergencies website at https://tularecounty.ca.gov/emergencies/, register for AlertTC at https://www.alerttc.com/.

 

UPDATE as of March 16 at 8:00 p.m.

From the City of Porterville and County of Tulare, Porterville Evacuation Order.

Due to the recent storm events, and the water levels in the Tule River, there is erosion to the bank of the river.

An evacuation order has been issued for the area on the south side of Rio Vista Ave with the addresses of 191 Rio Vista Avenue, 201 Rio Vista Avenue, 211 Rio Vista Avenue, 221 Rio Vista Avenue, 231 Rio Vista Avenue, 241 Rio Vista Avenue, and 245 Rio Vista Avenue.

A Temporary Evacuation point has been set up at Porterville College, 100 E College Avenue.

Please don’t drive through barricaded or closed roads and don’t drive through standing water. It is incredibly important to abide by all orders, warnings, closures, etc.

For direct emergency alerts, register for AlertTC at https://www.alerttc.com/.

 

UPDATE as of March 16 at 8:00 p.m.

Evacuation Order for areas near or between Ave. 192 to the north and the north branch of the Tule River to the south, and on, near or between Highway 99 to the west and Road 152 to the east.
Please don’t drive through barricaded or closed roads and don’t drive through standing water. It is incredibly important to abide by all orders, warnings, closures, etc.
For direct emergency alerts, register for AlertTC at https://www.alerttc.com/.

 

UPDATE as of March 16 at 3:30 p.m.

Evacuation Warning for the Community of Alpaugh and Allensworth

Due to the current storm an Evacuation Warning has been issued for the areas of Avenue 88, south on Highway 43, to Avenue 16, west on Avenue 16 to the east side of the Tulare/Kings County Line at Road 16, north to the Homeland Canal, northeast to along the Homeland Canal to Highway 43.

An evacuation warning means you should prepare to evacuate should waters approach your home or if ordered to do so. Please stay clear and out of the river areas and avoid getting near the waterways.

To evacuate from these locations, please drive southbound on Highway 43 to Cecil Avenue, in Delano. Highway 43 northbound is closed due to flooding.

Please don’t drive through barricaded or closed roads and don’t drive through standing water. It is incredibly important to abide by all orders, warnings, closures, etc.
 
For direct emergency alerts, register for AlertTC at https://www.alerttc.com/.

 

UPDATE as of March 15 at 6:00 p.m.

Evacuation Order for Porterville Area
 
Due to the rising flood waters, an Evacuation Order has been issued for the area west of Porterville on Olive Ave (Ave 152) to Ave 144 and the Friant/Kern Canal to the Tule River and Westwood St.
 
Tulare County Sheriff Deputies are going door to door to inform people living in the area that they need to get out. About 100 people are impacted by this order.
 
Please don’t drive through barricaded or closed roads and don’t drive through standing water. It is incredibly important to abide by all orders, warnings, closures, etc.
 
For direct emergency alerts, register for AlertTC at https://www.alerttc.com/.

 

UPDATE as of March 15 at 12:00 a.m.

Evacuation Order for the Porterville Area
 
Due to the recent storm events and the water levels rising in Success Lake to the point the water is running over the spillway at Schafer Dam, an Evacuation Order has been issued for all residences, businesses, and structures, on both sides of the Tule River, from Richard L. Schafer Dam at Lake Success, in Porterville, to the east side of Road 284.
 
The Evacuation Order would consist of the area from Schafer Dam, west on Avenue 146, to Road 284, south on Road 284 to the south side of the Tule River, from the south side of the Tule River to the Schafer Dam, and north along Schafer Dam to Avenue 146. The Order would not include Highway 190, or the residents and businesses along Highway 190 from Road 284 to the Schafer Dam.
 
See for this latest Evacuation Map for this order provided.
 
TCSO Deputies will be going door to door throughout the night to notify residents. Officials urge people to stay clear and out of the river areas and to avoid getting near the waterways.
 
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
 
For direct emergency alerts, register for AlertTC at https://www.alerttc.com/.

 

UPDATE as of March 13 at 8:00 p.m.

A joint statement from the County of Tulare, City of Porterville, and City of Visalia:

Spillway Activity at Lake Sucess and Lake Kawaeh

Our local reservoirs, Success Lake and Kaweah Lake, are nearing capacity due to the recent rainfall in Tulare County and officials expect both dam spillways to be operational with more rainfall forecasted. Currently, the spillway at Lake Success is operational. The spillway at Lake Kaweah may become operational with the incoming storm. As engineered, the spillways are designed to release control flows to manage water levels of both lakes and control local flooding risks. 

Officials are closely monitoring the incoming water runoff, reservoir capacities, and conditions of each dam structure. BOTH DAM STRUCTURES AT LAKE SUCCESS AND LAKE KAWEAH ARE STABLE, IN GOOD WORKING CONDITION, AND OPERATING AS DESIGNED.

Residents can expect to see water activity over the spillways at each Dam, and this is normal. A spillway is a structure used to provide releases of water from the Dam. These Spillways are designed and operate to ensure the vast flows of incoming water do not damage the Dam structure.   

It is important to know that water activity and releases over a spillway ARE NOT A DAM FAILURE AND INDICATE INTENDED OPERATIONS.

County and City Emergency Operation Centers are activated and closely monitoring potential for flood impacts. If you live near a waterway, Officials urge you to be prepared to for more potential flooding.

Sandbag Information

Tulare County Fire Stations, for locations visit: https://tularecounty.ca.gov/emergencies/.

City of Porterville, visit the Porterville Corporation Yard located 1265 W. Grand Ave. in Porterville.

City of Visalia, for locations visit: https://bit.ly/drycenter_sandbags

Sign up for Emergency Alerts

To receive emergency alerts directly from the County of Tulare and the City of Porterville, sign up for AlertTC at https://www.alerttc.com/.

To receive emergency alerts directly from City of Visalia, sign up for text alerts by texting “VISALIA” to +18447137830.

 

UPDATE as of March 10 at 11:00 p.m.

Evacuation Order for Teviston

Due to the current storm, an Evacuation Order has been issued for residents and businesses within the community of Teviston. 

The Order would apply to all residences and businesses south of Avenue 84, south on Road 128/130 to Deer Creek, east along the north bank of Deer Creek to Road 140, north along Road 140 to Avenue 84, and west on Avenue 84 to Road 128, and all roads and avenues in between.

Due to the increase of the river flow, people are urged to stay clear of the waterways and avoid all unnecessary travel.

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

An Emergency Shelter is available at:
 
Porterville College Gym
100 E. College Ave. in Porterville

 

UPDATE as of March 10 at 9:00 p.m.

Evacuation Warning for Areas of Porterville Along the Tule River
 
An Evacuation Warning has been issued for the residence and businesses within a 1/8th of a mile on both sides of the Tule River from Richard L. Schafer Dam, at Lake Success, to Olive Ave. in Porterville, due to the amount of added water to Lake Success, the water levels are predicted to reach the spillway.
 
An evacuation warning means you should prepare to evacuate should waters approach your home or if ordered to do so. Please stay clear and out of the river areas and avoid getting near the waterways.
 
An Emergency Shelter is available at:
 
Porterville College Gym
100 E. College Ave. in Porterville

 

UPDATE as of March 10 at 5:00 p.m.

More Evacuation Order Issued for Tulare County
 
Evacuation Orders Issued for Parts of Cutler - Due to a levy break in the area of Road 124, south of Avenue 408, Sheriff Mike Boudreaux has issued Evacuation Orders for businesses and residences along Road 124, south of Avenue 408 down to Railroad Drive to Santa Fe Drive, which turns into Eddy, from Avenue 407 to Lee Road to Avenue 408. The road is closed at Road 124, south of Avenue 408.
 
Evacuation Orders Issued for Parts of Exeter - Evacuation Orders have been issued for parts of Exeter. Due to Yokohl Creek overflowing its’ banks, Sheriff Boudreaux has issued Evacuation Orders along Highway 198, east of High Sierra Drive to Yokohl Drive in Exeter. Highway 198 is closed to eastbound traffic at Road 196. These evacuations orders are for residents and businesses along 198 at Road 217, Badger Hill Avenue, Avenue 295 and Eaton Road.
 

UPDATE as of March 10 at 12:00 p.m.

Tulare County has issued and Evacuation Orders for areas in Three Rivers and Springville/Shelter in Place Order for Kern River and parts of Three River due to current storms and flooding concerns.
 
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.
 
Springville Area
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.
 
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. See full details from the TCSO below.
 
Shelter Information
Those in need of shelter due to mandatory evacuations due to flooding, Tulare County emergency shelters and Temporary Evacuation Point (TEP) are available at the following locations:
 
Exeter Veterans Memorial Building
234 N. Kaweah Ave. in Exeter
Open 24hrs
 
Porterville College Gym
100 E. College Ave. in Porterville
Open 24hrs
 
Dinuba Memorial Hall (TEP)
249 S. Alta Ave. in Dinuba
Open: 7:30 a.m. – 8:30 p.m.
 
Individuals who may need assistance evacuating may call 2-1-1 for assistance. If you are able, please evacuate your domestic animals with you as both shelters are available to take domestic animals.