Update: Evacuation orders issued for Porterville along Tule River, no evacuations expected for Visalia

8:55 a.m. Wednesday

Here are the latest developments on Tulare County flooding that happened overnight Tuesday and Wednesday morning.

Foothill communities

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, Sheriff Mike Boudreaux has issued an Evacuation Order 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.

TCSO Deputies will be going door to door throughout the night to notify residents. Sheriff Mike Boudreaux urges 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

Visalia

Due to the increased need, the City of Visalia has opened another sandbag location. Fire Station 55, at 6921 W Ferguson Ave, has sand and bags available northeast of the station. The 24-hour self-serve sand station at 355 N. Cain St. is still open to the public. Both locations will be staffed until 10 p.m. After that, it will be self-served. Prefilled sandbags for the elderly and disabled are available at Station 54, at 440 W Ferguson Ave. The prefilled bags will be outside the facility till supplies last. Reminder: The Army Corps of Engineers has informed Visalia to expect a decrease in water flows, an no evacuations are anticipated at this time for Visalia. However, the City of Visalia is still preparing for some isolated flooding to occur around waterways. Localized flooding that can occur during a significant rain event is also possible and is expected early Wednesday morning through the afternoon.

5:35 p.m., Tuesday

Visalia Unified School District won't cancel school, according to district officials.

"Based on current information and in consultation with the city, our schools will be open tomorrow, March 15th," officials wrote. "We continue to monitor the weather and local conditions to ensure students and staff stay safe. We will update you if new information becomes available."

The call came Tuesday after the district canceled afterschool programs and activities.

5:00 p.m., Tuesday

The chances of flooding in most areas of Visalia have decreased due to a change in water flow now projected by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

No evacuations are anticipated at this time, according to city officials.

"The city of Visalia is still preparing for some isolated flooding to occur around waterways," city officials posted on social media Tuesday night. "Localized flooding that can occur during a significant rain event is also possible and is expected early Wednesday morning through the afternoon."

Terminus Dam Project Manager Bill Miller said that no water had been released yet, despite reports that it has. There is a possibility a release could happen Wednesday afternoon all the way into Thursday. There is roughly 40,000 acre-feet of storage available at the dam.

The dam releases water all the time, allowing water to flow to into streams and canals.

Miller says the situation is "very fluid." Releasing water will likely include a release over the spillway, which is not a dam failure, but a planned operation.

While city crews have worked to clear drains, gutters, and empty canals, the waterways may spill over. More than an inch of rain is expected to drop Tuesday night.

"If you live next to a waterway, we advise you to prepare your home," city officials said Tuesday.

Visalia is working with other local agencies, including the county, Cal Water, SoCal Gas, Southern California Edison, and other nearby cities, to prepare for all possibilities, officials said.

On Monday night, the city of Visalia declared a local State of Emergency in response to a series of storms and more on the way. The state of emergency will last through March 20.

City officials urge residents to be prepared and to visit www.visalia.city/emergency to learn more. To sign up for alert texts, text "VISALIA" to 1(844) 713-7830.

This article originally appeared on Visalia Times-Delta: Update: Evacuation orders issued for Porterville along Tule River