Madera County Sheriff's Office issues mandatory evacuation in North Fork
NORTH FORK, California (KFSN) -- Water billowed through the town of North Fork Tuesday, overrunning creek beds, crushing trees, and threatening all in its path.
"Everybody's just tired of it. We've got pets and kids and evacuations, it's hard," said Barbara Troup, North Fork.
Neighbors said the creeks rose much faster this time and as the water crested around noon stress levels also peaked. By the time we arrived on Church Street about a dozen families already evacuated-- others held out for now.
"Working together, watching everybody's place, those that have been evacuated, we'll keep an eye on their houses," said Troup.
At Bass Lake Mobile Home Park the water came just feet away from submerging belongings.
"The last time that we had an evacuation warning it was up over these terracing boards," said Scott Leasum, North Fork.
The same neighbors who barely dried off from last month's storm were forced to make a decision again.
"The few that can leave are just going to move up the hill, just walk to the other side of the park," said Leasum.
As the downpour continued mandatory evacuation orders started to come down.
Deputies said after so much rain they are worried people will grow complacent about how fast and high water levels can be.
"It may be a repetitive thing we are doing this year, but each time we do it, it is something that's necessary because the dangers that the water causes," said Sgt. Nick Davis, Madera County Sheriff's Office.
Families said the storms have made their backyards unrecognizable.
"The normal creek you can walk across easily, it's only eight feet wide," said Leasum.
All the initial excitement about this rain is finally starting to recede, much like the floodwaters in these neighborhoods.
A sheriff's deputy placed a cone in the water earlier Tuesday morning, neighbors said at one point in the afternoon, a third of it was submerged.
INFORMATION ABOUT EVACUATION BELOW:
The following areas are affected by the evacuation:
-East Side of Church Street
-Bass Lake Mobile Home Park
Residents who live in the affected areas or other areas threatened by rising water levels should immediately evacuate to the EV Free Church at 50443 Road 427 in Oakhurst (Near Yosemite High School).
The Sheriff's Office says people who live in the following areas should be prepared to evacuate at a moments notice:
-Road 222 between Railroad Grade Road and Road 200
-Road 226 between Keller Road and Road 222
-Manzanita Lake Drive
-Old Central Camp Road between Road 222 and of a mile west of Road 274
-Road 225 between Road 222 and Road 274
-Road 228
-Wah-up Way
-Kunigib Way
-Amber Lane
-Weatherly Lane
-Willow Creek Drive
The Madera County Sheriff's Office said residents should be aware of rising water levels and evaluate your conditions. If you feel the need to evacuate, you are asked to do so.
