Strong spring storm sweeps across the Valley

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- A big storm rolled through the Valley Thursday, impacting people, business, and crops.

The dark clouds rolled in first-- then the deafening roar of the rain.

"It just came out of nowhere-- it started raining," said Juan Herrere, Riverdale Liquor Store.

Along Mt. Whitney Avenue in Riverdale it took less than half an hour for water in front of one restaurant to reach several inches deep, temporarily forming a moat.

"I got a pump in the back so it's pumping right now, maybe half an hour to a different place," said Gerardo Dela Torre, business owner.

Down the street, the storm took out power twice at Riverdale Liquor Store, leaving everyone in the dark.

"It was actually clear, within 30 minutes it just came over. I actually walked out and saw the lightening, the thunder-- it's crazy," said Herrere.

It was the same story across the Central Valley, captured by some of our #abc30insiders.

Rain came down hard in a neighborhood in Lemoore. While in Los Banos, drivers were caught in a hailstorm.

"Water is good for California right now," said Herrere.

But some farmers in Mendota felt differently. One grower posted a video of rain flooding his orchards.

The rain people usually pray for coming in a little too fast, too furious-- this time.