A series of strong storm is expected to hit the Central Valley late this week and through the weekend, prompting warnings to residents about the dangers of flooding and other hazardous conditions that can accompany severe weather.

According to the Fresno Fire Department, flooding is the nation's most common natural disaster, and the Department is advising residents to be aware and prepare no matter where they live.

The Department’s Urban Search and Rescue team are also readying for water related rescue calls and technical rescues should conditions warrant.

The Fire Department issued the following tips for residents:

Prepare for Flooding
•Elevate the furnace, water heater, and electric panel in your home if you live in an area that has a high flood risk.
•Consider installing "check valves" to prevent flood water from backing up into the drains of your home.
•If feasible, construct barriers to stop floodwater from entering the building and seal walls in basements with waterproofing compounds.
•Property insurance does not typically cover flood damage. Talk to your insurance provider about your policy and consider if you need additional coverage.
•Get a kit of emergency supplies and prepare a portable kit in case you have to evacuate.
•Familiarize yourself with the terms that are used to identify a thunderstorm hazard, including understanding the difference between a severe thunderstorm watch and a severe thunderstorm warning.
•A flood watch or flash flood watch means there is a possibility of flooding or a flash flood in your area.
•Be prepared to evacuate.
•If time allows, bring in outside furniture and move your valuables to higher places in your home.
•Unplug electrical appliances, moving them to higher levels, if possible. However, do not touch an electric appliance if you are wet or standing in water.
•If you have a car, fill the gas tank in case you have to evacuate.
•A flood warning means a flood is occurring or will likely occur soon. If you are advised to evacuate do so immediately.
•A flash flood warning means a flash flood is occurring. Seek higher ground immediately; do not wait for instructions.

Plan to Evacuate
•Plan how you will leave and where you will go if you are advised to evacuate.
•If you do not have a car, plan alternate means of evacuating.
•Plan places where your family will meet, both within and outside of your immediate neighborhood.
•Identify several places you could go in an emergency, a friend's home in another town, a motel or public shelter.
•If you have a car, keep a half tank of gas in it at all times in case you need to evacuate.
•Become familiar with alternate routes and other means of transportation out of your area.
•Take your emergency supply kit.
•Lock the door behind you.
•Listen to NOAA Weather Radio for information.
•Take your pets with you, but understand that only service animals may be permitted in public shelters.

If time allows:
oCall or email the "out-of-state" contact in your family communications plan.
oTell them where you are going.
oLeave a note telling others when you left and where you are going.
oCheck with neighbors who may need a ride.
•Do not walk through moving water, if possible. Look for areas where the water is not moving. What might seem like a small amount of moving water can easily knock you down.
•Do not drive into flooded areas. If your vehicle becomes surrounded by rising water, get out quickly and move to higher ground, if possible.

The City of Fresno is also offering sandbags at its municipal yard located at "G" St. and El Dorado to residents from 8-5 p.m.

City residents can fill sandbags to help prevent possible flooding.
The elderly and handicapped will be put on a list for delivery.

The limit is fifteen bags per resident and you must have a home in the city of Fresno.

For more information, you can call 621 – 2489 or 621 - 1492.

The city of Visalia is also offering sandbags to its residents.

Sand and sandbags will be available Thursday through Monday in the parking lots of the following Visalia fire stations:
•Fire Station #51: 309 S. Johnson St.
•Fire Station #53: 9500 Airport Drive.
•Fire Station #54: 440 W. Ferguson St.

Residents are asked to bring their own shovels to the stations to fill their own bags. For information on obtaining sand or sandbags, call 713-4266 during regular business hours and 734-8116 after 5 p.m. weekdays and on weekends.

Visalia
The Visalia Corporation Yard also will have sands and sandbags available. from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Monday. Residents are asked to bring their own shovels to fill their own bags. The Corporation Yard is located at 335 N. Cain St., and the phone number is 713-4428.

Clovis
Pre-assembled sandbags are available for residents at the City Corporation Yard, 155 N. Sunnyside Ave. There is a limit of 10 per person. Residents who observe flooding or storm-related problems should call 324-2800.

Madera County

Sand/Sandbags:
Fire Station #3
(3 sites)
25950 Avenue 18 ½
Madera

Fire Station #19
35141 Bonadelle Ave
Madera
Fire Station #12
49015 Civic Circle Dr.

Oakhurst
Sand only Sites:
Maywood Center (Behind Ranchos Substation)
Avenue 12

Madera Ranchos
Road 221 and Road 200
(Across From The North Fork Road Maintenance Yard)

North Fork
Bass Lake Sewer Plant (Behind Court Bldg.)
Road 274

Bass Lake
Next to Madera County Animal Shelter
14269 Rd. 28
Madera

Oakhurst Transfer Station (W of SR 41)
Victoria Lane
Oakhurst

Ponding Basing
Avenue 24 / Road 19
Chowchilla

CITY OF MADERA

Sandbag Site:
Public Works Corp. Yard
1030 S. Gateway
Madera

Sand only Sites:
Towne and County Park
Howard Rd. (Howard/Schnoor)
Madera

Rotary Park
N. Gateway Drive (Cleveland/N. Gateway)
Madera

Clinton and Tozar (Across from Millview School)
Vacant field – SE Corner

City Stockyard (Across RR tracks from Public Works Yard)
on E Street

CITY OF CHOWCHILLA

Sand and Sandbags:
Public Works Corp. Yard
360 N. 1st Street
Chowchilla

Sandbags will also be available – for purchase – at the following locations:

Valley Feed Home Depot
121 N. Gateway Dr. 2155 N. Schnoor Ave.
Madera Madera

Click on the video link to watch storm team coverage from Jim Guy and Catherine Mylinh.