Residents survey aftermath as flooded Kings River Golf and Country Club recovers

TULARE COUNTY (KFSN) -- Mandatory evacuation orders along the Kings River remain in place, but there is a no longer a threat to homes and the flood water is receding.

Firefighters have made significant progress by building up a thick layer of rocks to keep water from spilling out of the river. The water has gone down significantly.

As for the damage, it's a waiting game for residents, but the flood water got into at least one home.

The Kings River Golf and Country Club is draining slowly. Over the weekend, 14 holes on the course took on water, and, on Monday, Steve Safarjian says the number dropped to five.

"We are still going to be on the edge of caution and listen to authorities, and what we should do next," he said.

Safarjian says the damage appears to be minimal so far, but he won't know for sure until all of the water is gone. Closer to the center of the problem, the 18th hole where a levee gave way, stands a blockade of heavy rocks dropped in by a helicopter.

It seems to be holding up, and, if needed, firefighters and inmates will move in to stabilize it by hand. One woman who lives nearby says she's thankful because it is keeping her home dry.

"They're protecting us, so if they're gonna do one thing good in life, they're doing it now," she said.

Rick Helm also lives nearby and says at least one of his neighbors is still living on the edge.

"The water keeps eating away at the bank and their house could go if it keeps going like this," he said.

He's also worried about the Kingsburg Gun Club. The flood water washed out a state shooting championship that was supposed to be held on Saturday.

It's also a qualifier for nationals and the competition had to be postponed.

"Hey mother nature made a call, so there's nothing we can do about it," Helm said.

The river continues to rage with more snow in the mountains, but the good news is the amount of water being released from Pine Flat Dam has slowed down at least for now.

The mandatory evacuation orders will remain in place at least through the night. The golf course says the clubhouse will be open Thursday and it's possible people will be able to tee off in a couple weeks.