Central California Storm: The latest on closures, flooding and impact

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Thursday, March 2, 2023
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FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- A new storm system is bringing more rain and snow to Central California, causing slick roads and power outages in multiple areas.



You can find weather updates and videos of snow and hail captured by Action News viewers across the Valley, below.



Wednesday, March 1



9:00 pm


Governor Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency in 13 counties across the state due to the winter storms.



The declaration will support disaster response and relief in Madera and Mariposa counties.



The California National Guard has also been activated to help support recovery efforts.



9:25 am


Multiple road closures have been announced in Mariposa County due to weather conditions. For a full list of closures, click here.



6 am



Both I-5 at the Grapevine and Highway 58 at Towerline towards Tehachapi are closed due to weather conditions.



Tuesday, February 28



4:00 pm



The Red Cross has opened a second evacuation center in Fresno County for residents who have been impacted by the ongoing severe weather.



The second center has been opened at Foothill Elementary, located at 29147 Auberry Road in Prather.



Residents from Prather, Auberry, and Shaver Lake will be provided safe shelter, water, meals, snacks, and additional resources.



Another emergency shelter is available at the Reedley College Gym.



That one is to help residents of Dunlap, Miramonte, and surrounding areas who have been without running water and power since Saturday.



Both facilities are open 24-7,



Monday, February 27



4:55 pm



The Fresno County Office of Emergency Services is working with the Red Cross to open a shelter to assist residents of Dunlap, Miramonte, and Squaw Valley, who have been without power or running water since Saturday, February 25th.



The shelter is in the Reedley College Gymnasium at 995 N. Reed Avenue in Reedley, California and is open as of 5:00 pm on Monday, February 27, 2023.



4:00 pm



The American Red Cross has opened an evacuation shelter at Reedley College to support residents without power. This shelter will be open overnight.



Volunteers are available to assist those in need with safe shelter, snacks, water, coffee, emotional support and additional resources



Two evacuation centers remain open across the Central Valley to support mountain communities without power:



  • Oakhurst Community Center (39800 Fresno Flats Rd, Oakhurst, CA 93644)


  • Mariposa Senior Center (5246 Spriggs Lane, Mariposa, CA 95338)

  • These centers will be open 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday. Winter storm conditions will determine the need to remain open past Wednesday. Red Cross volunteers are assisting with snacks, water, coffee, safe shelter, emotional support and additional resources. Residents are encouraged to visit for safe refuge, as well as a place to warm up and charge electronics.



    5:15 am


    Multiple Valley school districts are closed on Monday due to weather conditions. Schools are closed in the following districts:


  • Mariposa County Unified
  • Bass Lake School District
  • Yosemite Unified School District
  • Chawanakee Unified Schools


  • Sunday, February 26



    2:00 p.m.



    Mariposa County Unified School District will observe a snow day on Monday, February 27.



    The decision as more snow is expected in the coming days.



    MCUSD will reassess conditions Monday.



    12:00 p.m.



    The American Red Cross evacuation center has opened in Oakhurst and Mariposa County.



    The Oakhurst center is located at the Oakhurst Community Center and the Mariposa center is located at the Mariposa Senior Center.



    Both are open to those impacted by power outages.



    Saturday, February 25



    8:00 p.m.



    The California Highway Patrol says Interstate 5 at the Grapevine will remain closed in both directions until Sunday morning.



    Officials say the plan is to reopen the highway at 11 a.m.



    CHP says crews will be working through the night and into Sunday morning in preparation for the reopening.





    1:30 p.m.



    Tulare County emergency responders are working to evacuate several homes.



    Residents in Seville and Yettem have been asked to voluntarily evacuate.



    Avenue 384 is closed in both directions at Road 144 and Road 132.



    Officials are providing sandbags and are asking everyone to stay out of the area to give personnel room to work.



    10:30 a.m.



    Yosemite National Park will be closed until Wednesday, March 1 due to severe weather conditions.



    Rangers say travel on all roads within the park is restricted to administrative traffic only.





    10:00 a.m.



    Highway 99 shut down in Pixley due to flooding.



    The California Highway Patrol says Highway 99 at Avenue 96 in Pixley is expected to be shut down for most of the day, if not well into tomorrow.



    Officers responded to calls of a traffic collision just after 1 a.m. Saturday.



    When CHP officers arrived, they found a total of five cars stranded in the water.



    No injuries were reported.



    Traffic is being diverted to the frontage roads in both directions. CHP is asking drivers to use alternate routes.





    9:00 a.m.



    The California Highway Patrol says Interstate 5 at the Grapevine remains closed in both directions due to falling snow and ice.



    It is unknown when the Grapevine will reopen.


    CHP says crews are working to remove the snow and ice from the road.




    On Friday night, a small window opened up and allowed CHP to escort drivers up the Grapevine.



    Stay with Action News for the latest on this unique winter storm.



    For weather updates, follow Madeline Evans on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.



    For weather updates, follow Kevin Musso on Facebook and Twitter.

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