Tuolumne County Braces For Wet And Windy Storm

Sonora, CA — Tuolumne County is bracing for the wet and windy storm that is predicted to hit the region Tuesday afternoon.

The National Weather Service is calling for three to four inches of rain in the foothills and six plus inches in the mountain areas combined with winds between 25-35mph with gusts of up to 45mph. This storm is a remnant of the super typhoon Melor. 

Office of Emergency Services Coordinator Kathleen Rustrum states that flash flooding and mudslides are a possibility in the summer burn areas of Mt. Knight and Big Meadow at Yosemite.

Ms. Rustrum encourages Mother Lode residents to reduce or eliminate travel between Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday morning, have plenty of emergency supplies (flashlights, battery powered radios, prescription medications, bottled water and non-perishable food products) on hand.

In addition sand bags are now available at Orchard Supply Hardware, Andy’s True Value Home Center, Twain Harte Hardware, J.S. West and Hurst Ranch Supply. Sand is now available at the Columbia Road Yard on North Airport Rd., the Tuolumne City Fire Department, 18690 Main Street and the Jamestown Road Yard on 7th Ave. behind Jamestown Elementary School. You must bring your own shovel to fill the bags.

The Tuolumne County Fire Department, CAL Fire, Public Works, safety and law enforcement personnel are currently on a “stand-by” basis preparing for this storm.

Written by bill.johnson@mlode.com