Update: Tuolumne County Flash Flood Warning
The National Weather Service has issued a Flash Flood Warning for the Rim Fire burn area in south central Tuolumne County until 12:30 AM Wednesday.
Additionally a Flash Flood Warning remains in effect for southwestern Tuolumne County and northeastern Mariposa county until 10:45 pm.
Highway 140 was closed near El Portal in Mariposa County due to a mud slide. Mud slides can consist of rock, mud, vegetation and other loose materials.
At 7:14 pm, Doppler radar and automated rain gauges indicated thunderstorms producing heavy rain over the warned area.
At 6:27 pm, Doppler radar indicated heavy rain earlier across the eastern portions of the Rim Burn scar including areas around Hetch Hechy.
Significant rises and debris flowing in the rivers and creeks, including the tributaries of the upper Tuolumne River is expected.
The severely burned areas are of particular concern includes the Granite Creek Basin.
Excessive rainfall over the Rim Fire burn scar will result in mud and debris flows. The
Debris flow can consist of rock, mud, vegetation and other loose materials.
Those traveling along Cottonwood Road, Cherry Lake Road, Lumpston Road, and USFS Road 3n01 should be alert for probable road problems due to flooding, rock slides and debris flows.
Some locations that will experience flooding include Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park, Wawona, Hetch Hetchy, the Rim Fire burn scar, Yosemite Glacier Point, El Portal, Crane Flat, Snow flat, Jerseydale, Gin Flat, Tenaya Lake, Yosemite’s south entrance, Mariposa Grove, Paradise Meadow, Graveyard Meadow, Fish Camp, Chilkoot Meadow, Ostrander Lake, Green Mountain and Poison Ridge.
This is a dangerous situation. Hunters, residents, and persons traveling within the rim fire burn area need to be alert for the potential of mud and debris flows. These flows could impact area roadways and local streams and creeks. If you observe movement of soils, debris, or large amounts of water, you should move to higher ground immediately. Do not drive through water flowing across roadways. Move to higher ground now. Act quickly to protect your life.
If you are in the warned area, move to higher ground now. Act quickly to protect your life. Turn around, don’t drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles.
Most flood deaths occur in automobiles. Never drive your vehicle into areas where the water covers the roadway. Flood waters are usually deeper than they appear. Just one foot of flowing water is powerful enough to sweep vehicles off the road. When encountering flooded roads make the smart choice, turn around, don’t drown.
Excessive runoff from heavy rainfall will cause flooding of small creeks and streams as well as farm and country roads. Do not attempt to travel across flooded roads. Find alternate routes.
