WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: Governor Newsom visited the Tulare Basin to see flooding impacts firsthand, meet with community leaders, and emphasize the state’s commitment to supporting and providing appropriate assistance to the counties impacted by recent and anticipated flooding this spring and summer.

TULARE BASIN – Today, Governor Gavin Newsom joined state and local officials and community leaders in the Tulare Basin to survey recent flooding brought on by major storms earlier this year and outline actions the state is taking to support the region as it faces long-term flooding. Flooding impacts in the region are expected to worsen in the coming weeks as snowmelt escalates due to higher temperatures in the Sierra Nevada.

The Governor visited several locations in the Tulare Basin to see flooding impacts firsthand, including the Allensworth community center, a project spearheaded by CAL FIRE to raise a critical access road to Alpaugh, and a dairy that has been partially submerged by flood water.

“California is here for the Tulare Basin, the Central Valley and all parts of our state still dealing with the impacts of the historic deluge of atmospheric rivers we experienced and preparing for future flooding due to snowmelt,” said Governor Newsom. “Our focus is keeping these communities safe, and we’re working with our federal and local counterparts to provide on-the-ground assistance and the support locals need. This weather whiplash is what the climate crisis looks like – and that’s why California is investing billions of dollars to protect our communities from weather extremes like flooding, drought and extreme heat.”

State officials have been on the ground since storms first started hitting, supporting and coordinating emergency response. Now, California is shifting focus to flood prevention and recovery efforts and will support local response in the coming weeks, months and years.

The state response to flooding, both in the Tulare Basin and across California, includes:

    Over 1.7 million sandbags and roughly 20,000 supersacks distributed to help prevent flooding;

    12,000 feet of muscle walls constructed;

    Over 49 million pounds of rock and sand used to shore up rivers and levees;

    Over 60 shelters opened for folks who got displaced by flooding and snowfall;

    Over 600 comfort kits distributed to impacted families;

    Over 3 million miles of California roads plowed or maintained.