KMPH Fox 26 Central San Joaquin Valley News Source in Fresno, California Entertainment, News, Sports and Weather | Valley Prepares for Severe Storm

Valley Prepares for Severe Storm

By Norma Yuriar

Auberry, Calif.  (KMPH News) - With an eye on the sky Mike Nephew was working as fast as he could Monday night before the rain put a temporary end to his home remodeling project.

"This rain is coming pretty quick, I hope to beat it," Nephew said.

The Auberry resident said the heavy rain will most likely flood his home.  It's located on a slight slope downward towards the house.  Nephew said he was not prepared for the wet weather just yet.

"It's never been here this early, this is really soon," Nephew said.

He's right.

"We usually don't see this kind of weather until late November or early December,"  KMPH Meteorologist  Kevan Ramer said.

Ramer said in the next 24-hours an all-time record breaking storm is expected to hit the Central Valley.

The Fresno County Sheriffs office reminds everyone not to travel into the mountains unless necessary and if you do, tell someone where you're going.

"Let somebody know when you are going to come back," Sheriff Margaret Mims said.  "Be prepared for the cold with appropriate jackets and sleeping bags and if you get lost, stay there.  Build a shelter and wait for help."

In Clovis, sandbag preparations are also underway where the total rainfall is expected to reach two inches by Tuesday night.

"Typically what you want to do is put them in areas where you don't have decent drainage, Clovis City Fire Department Spokesman Chad Fitzgerald said.

Pre-assembled sandbags or materials for filling sandbags are available for residents at the City Corporation Yard, 155 N. Sunnyside Avenue.  There is a limit of 10 per person.

To report flooding problems in Fresno call 621-CITY.