Flood warning issued for Kings River below Pine Flat Dam

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Flood warning issued for Kings River below Pine Flat Dam

So far it's a lot of flooded landscaping, but as you can see the river are like rapids just yards from one home. Residents fear if the water keeps coming out of Pine Flat Dam, they will have really serious problems.

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The rising waters of the Kings River are causing problems for residents of a neighborhood east of Fresno. Many homes in the Wildwood Island Neighborhood are right on the river near Piedra Road.

So far it's a lot of flooded landscaping, but the river current is just like rapids just yards from one home. Residents fear if the water keeps coming out of Pine Flat Dam, they will have really serious problems.

The rising Kings River is alarming residents of the Wildwood Island neighborhood east of Sanger.

"We have a raging river in our backyard for sure," resident Hillary Cloud said. "We are just fortunate so far that our homes are safe. Obviously, we have lost all of our landscaping and some of our trees."

Even those away from the river are dealing with flooding from adjacent creeks.

"We are very concerned," resident Walter Shepard said. "This has been going on for three weeks or so and as you can see, it just keeps coming and coming and coming. And yesterday we finished sandbagging and you can look at that too, it's now 10-feet from the deck, and yes, we are very concerned."

All eyes are on Pine Flat Dam as the reservoir is 99.4 percent full. It's a welcome site for those with houseboats on the lake.

"It's lovely, it's really nice to look out and see a full lake," said Dee Rittenhouse of Paso Robles. "It's beautiful here."

The corps is releasing about as much water as is coming in, but that is expected to change Friday night when the outflow is expected to rise, meaning more water in these neighborhoods.

"I have my papers packed in case I have to get out of here, but everybody assures me my house is far enough away that I shouldn't have to do that," said Nancy Vautier.

The Fresno County Sheriff's Office has told these residents they are on an evacuation watch, meaning be ready to leave in an hours notice.

The corps may boost releases late Friday night, and that could mean higher water by Saturday morning.