Nat'l Guard Joins Evacuation Efforts in Tulare County, Calif.

(TNS) - The National Guard and dozens of public safety agencies are on scene in Tulare County in what the Sheriff’s Office calls a massive mutual aid effort as floodwaters continue to rise and more than 12,000 face evacuations.

Early Sunday, Sheriff Mike Boudreaux ordered evacuations of the historic Black community of Allensworth along with Alpaugh. The Sheriff’s Office and other agencies are aiding deputies going door-to-door in both communities, urging people to get out of the area and helping them do so.

The National Guard is utilizing special high-water vehicles to assist in the effort.

As part of the effort, the Sheriff’s Office is:

• Directing displaced residents to emergency shelters at the  Porterville College Gym, 100 E. College Ave., and Ivanhoe Memorial Hall, 33209 Hawthorne Road
• Setting up an emergency animal shelter at the  Tulare County Fairgrounds
• Urging residents near Pine Flat reservoir not to drink water from the tap for at least 48 hours. Recent storm damage destroyed the water source in the area and a temporary line is in place, but has not been tested. Residents may use toilets and was dishes.

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