Flood — Fresno, California

2023-05-01 to 2023-05-30 · near Sanger Wndr Vly Arpt, Fresno, California

Event narrative

Fresno, Kings and Tulare County Emergency Managers reported flooding along the Kings River downstream from Pine Flat Dam as a result of increased releases prompted by increased runoff from snow melt. Two young children who were swimming in the river with their mother on May 21 were swept away by the fast moving waters and were found dead shortly afterward. Neither child was wearing a life vest.

Wider weather episode

Continued increased releases at Pine Flat dam due to heavy snow melt runoff resulted in a continuation of flooding near the Kings River downstream of Pine Flat Dam through most of May. The increased runoff produced flooding at Lindy's Landing campground near Reedley, and the Kings River Golf and Country Club near Kingsburg. The releases were cut back on May 30 which resulted in lowered impacts from flooding.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (36.8286, -119.3245)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1094752. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.