Storm moves into the Central Valley

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- A storm moved into the Central Valley on Friday night, but gusty winds were here hours earlier.

Highway 41 in Kings County reopened on Friday afternoon. The highway had been closed between Jackson and Kansas avenues due to blowing dust and reduced visibilities. The California Highway Patrol is warning drivers to be careful on the slick roads. They note there's a flurry of accidents on freeway on- and off-ramps when drivers go too fast and slide off in the rain.

The storm is expected to provide a boost to Valley farmers. The Fresno Irrigation District (FID) is making preparations to capture whatever runoff they can.

"We are prepared to take any water that is produced from that runoff and take it and recharge it in basins that we have throughout the district," said Gary Serrato with the FID.

Irrigators are hoping for lots of snow in the Sierra, especially in the northern part of the state where much of the Central Valley's water comes from.

PG&E is issuing its usual reminders to be aware of potential power outages, but they are not expecting significant problems in the Fresno area.