MOUNTAIN COMMUNITIES–Over the last several days, Northern California has been under siege by a series of hard hitting winter storms. Our communities in Mariposa County and Eastern Madera County have been impacted by these storms in numerous ways including over 12,000 people without power, trees crashing into homes and outbuildings, and roads. Also, Yosemite National Park has been closed and schools won’t be opening this week at all. Sierra News Online has been monitoring and reporting on all of these impacts as much as possible. We will continue to do our best to keep our readers informed but please be patient as many of us are without power and snowed in as well.
MADERA COUNTY
On March 1, 2023 Sheriff Tyson Pogue will be submitting a proclamation of local emergency for Madera County due to the significant impacts of the ongoing extreme weather conditions.
The extreme weather has strained our local resources and necessitates a proclamation of a local emergency in order to maintain our standard level of public protection to the county.
Sheriff Pogue reflects, “We will continue to closely monitor this evolving situation. The extreme conditions amidst ongoing storm activity require a high level of immediate attention. We have deployed all available resources to address the needs of the community, and look forward to the additional support this proclamation will provide.”
Madera County Office of Emergency Services (559) 675-7770
Madera County Public Works (559) 675-7811
Madera County Sheriff’s Dispatch saw another day of calls regarding plows, trees down, power lines down and people stuck in homes. Deputies pulled out a handful of family from locations and moved them to alternate sites. The Sheriff’s Snow Cat was in-service until 7pm with pulling people out of homes. The Snow Cat knocked down some snow banks allowing access to the Bass Lake Waist Water Plant, Fire Station and Sierra Ambulance Station.
For Tomorrow, additional Deputies and SAR Volunteers have been detailed to help with this last storm system. One of the Sheriff’s Office tracked equipment was unable to be repaired today by SAR Volunteers. It will need shop service. Sullivans was unable to repair the SAR 4×4 Units today, but they have ordered parts for that repair.The Madera County Sheriff’s Office has been coordinating with Public Works regarding areas in most need of clearing of snow. The Bass Lake Area (Bass Lake Heights, Pines, Marina View) has accounted for over 80% of the requests for assistance. Per Joseph Wilder: The Red Cross Shelter will be open today and is planning to re-open again Thursday as of now. That will be reassessed as power is restored throughout the area.
Spoiled Food Disposal
SPOILED FOOD DISPOSAL: As the storm clears and roads begin to get opened back up, the Madera County Public Works Department is working with Emadco Disposal to provide locations for residents affected by power outages to dispose of spoiled food.
WE ASK THAT ONLY THOSE AFFECTED BY POWER OUTAGES USE THESE LOCATIONS.
Currently the only location available is at Liberty Dr. in Oakhurst near the Madera County Sheriff’s Office substation.
More locations will be made available, including the North Fork Transfer Station, as access to areas is gained.
Please be mindful of continued adverse road and weather conditions and plan accordingly.
MARIPOSA COUNTY
Due to multiple public safety issues including: heavy snow, active falling trees, downed powerlines, PG&E work crews and emergency vehicles the following roads are closed:
Road assessments are still being done, a map of the affected roads will be updated as information is relayed and can be found here: ArcGIS – Mariposa County Public Information Map
County Road Conditions- County Road Conditions | Mariposa County, CA – Official Website
Please stay off all roadways as much as possible, emergency traffic and work crews need roadways to be uncongested with traffic.
Roads in the Coulterville, Greeley Hill area will be updated soon.
Please utilize 911 for life safety issues only.
Mariposa County Solid Waste & Recycling has organized FREE Spoiled Food Disposal Events for those who have lost power for an extended period of time. To know what food you should toss, check out http://bit.ly/3ZugVwI
Please note that these sites will take general household trash at these events, but there will be a fee for those items. Keep spoiled food and general household trash separate to be able to drop the spoiled food at no cost.
Event Dates & Times:
