Riverland RV Park begins recovery after Kings River flooding

TULARE COUNTY (KFSN) -- The flooding along the Kings River appears to have eased, but the river is still high and sandbags are still in place in low-lying areas.

At the Riverland RV Park along Highway 99 and the Kings River, the park was flooded and there is still a lot of damage, but some of the resort is expected to open next week if the river doesn't rise again.

The trailers are still lining the road outside the park. Inside, the roads, the concrete pads, plumbing and electrical sustained damage by the flooding from the Kings River.

The water is still high and the sandbags remain in place until the river stabilizes. The Tulare County Fire Department is keeping an eye on the waterway.

"Right now things are static at this time, and we are just going to continue to monitor the situation," Joanne Bear with the department said.

Park management didn't want to go on camera but told us they hope to have the motel and some RV parking open next week. That's welcome news to the managers of the new Smokehouse Bar and Grill opening in a former restaurant on the site.

They managed to keep the floodwaters at bay while remodeling the restaurant.

"Lots of hours," Paula Soliz with the business said. "Long nights of pumping water. We were very fortunate not to have any damage."

They hope to open at the end of the month. While some camping may be available next week, repairs to the permanent RV pads at Riverland could take a bit longer.

Owners want to wait until the flood danger has passed before undertaking major reconstruction to repair the flood damage.