Historic flooding could leave behind problems for months in Kings County

KINGS COUNTY, Calif. — “This will impact the world, if people can just grasp that. These farmers and ranchers feed the world and we're going to have a million-acre foot of water covering up an area that feeds the world," said Kings County Sheriff David Robinson, in a news conference Wednesday.

Officials say the historic flooding is currently threatening a handful of homes near the historic Tulare Lakebed in Kings County.

It's threatening farmers, farmlands and even a bridge near Cross Creek that could collapse any minute.

[RELATED] Bridge in danger of collapsing, should be avoided in Kings County

The storm may pass, but the problems are sticking around for months.

“That million-acre feet of water isn't going to go away anytime soon," Robinson says, "This isn't a one-time, this isn't a two-day, a two-week event. This event will last through the summer, most likely through September."

So far, they can confirm at least one trail and one home are underwater.

The Corcoran Police Department Deputy Chief Gary Cramer says as of now, Corcoran is protected by a levee that goes along the south and west side of the city.

“That does protect the city from the rising waters that we will experience over the next few months as the Tulare Lake Basin fills us," Cramer said.

They believe the levee is in good shape, but it is being monitored every day.

[RELATED]Latest storm activity shuts down Oceano Dunes until next week in Pismo

Multiple Kings County agencies have been working together to assess damages, monitor roadway conditions, and are constantly checking water flows.

Officials say they have carried out water rescues because people are entering flooded waters and are failing to listen to the road closures.

They are asking people not to avoid the signs.

Sheriff Robinson says there have been people showing up with boats and even kayaks, hoping to get on the water at the Tulare Lakebed.

He is asking people not to trespass into the private property.

He says they will be patrolling the area and will not be allowing people in.

On Wednesday, there was one dairy that was evacuated due to overflow of the Cross Creek.

"That million-acre feet of water isn't going to go away anytime soon, so it's going to have a huge impact across the world...that part is pretty hard to swallow knowing what these farmers are going through," Robinson said, "it's challenging and you know, it's going to take their farmland out of production in all likelihood for a couple of years. "

Robinson says they are hoping for the right temperatures in the spring, not too hot early on. He says if we get really high temperatures, it will cause the snowpack to melt fast, causing more problems.

"Let's pray for a nice, slow, steady spring weather," he said.

At this time, the Corcoran Prison is not of an immediate for flooding, but they do have plans in place in case of an emergency.

No mandatory evacuations orders have been issued.