CENTRAL SIERRA — A flood watch is in effect for the Mariposa, Madera, and Fresno County Foothills in the Sierra Nevada from Yosemite to Kings Canyon, including the towns of Bass Lake, Coarsegold, Fish Camp, Oakhurst, North Fork, Mariposa, Tuolumne Meadows, Auberry, and Wawona.
Issued by the National Weather Service, the flood watch is in effect from 4 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 6 through the evening of Tuesday, Feb. 7.
The watch also includes the west and east central San Joaquin Valley, cities of Fresno, Los Banos, Coalinga, Mendota, Squaw Valley, Devils Postpile, Florence Lake, and Lake Thomas Edison, and the Tulare County Foothills and mountains.
Periods of moderate to heavy rain are expected over the northern portion of the San Joaquin Valley, mainly from Fresno County northward.
The heavy rain will also impact the adjacent Sierra slopes below the snow level. Rainfall accumulation of over 1 inch are possible in the affected portions of the San Joaquin Valley, with 3 to 6 inches possible in the higher terrain.
Snow levels are expected to rise during the event, resulting in additional runoff from melting snow. Runoff from the rain and melting snow will cause rises in rivers and streams. Mudslides and rockslides are also expected and can lead to road closures.
Please monitor forecasts and be alert for possible flood warnings. Those living in areas prone to flooding should be prepared to take action should flooding develop.
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