Flood Warnings "Life Over Recreation" Media Toolkit

On Display Indefinitely

Media Release Paul Nerland County Administrative Officer (County of Fresno Seal)

April 25, 2023
Sonja Dosti | Public Information Officer
PHONE: 559 | 600 - 1224EMAIL: sdosti@fresnocountyca.gov

FRESNO COUNTY RELEASES LIFE OVER RECREATION 
MEDIA TOOLKIT ON FLOOD WARNINGS

FRESNO, CA – The County of Fresno and FROG (Flood Response Operations Group) have released a Life Over Recreation Media Toolkit containing fliers, PSAs, and a long-form video to educate the public about the potential flooding from the record snowfall as well as encourage residents to choose “life over recreation.”

The recent atmospheric rivers brought substantial rainfall and record snowfall. The Fresno County snowpack is 300% above the average which will melt into at least 8-million-acre feet of water which will feed into the two main reservoirs, Millerton Lake and Pine Flat, and into the Kings and San Joaquin Rivers.  

As a result of the high-water levels and hazardous conditions in the rivers, the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office issued a closure of these rivers to recreational users on March 14th, 2023, utilizing Fresno County Ordinance 13.32.080. Anyone accessing the rivers are considered to be in violation of Penal Code 409.5(c), unauthorized entry to an area closed for emergency purposes. This infraction comes with a minimum fine of $225.00.

As the weather warms up, residents may be tempted to disregard the closures to cool off by spending time in or near the rivers and canals. The FROG asks all Fresno County media partners, law enforcement, education, and community-based organizations to share the assets in this toolkit to help prepare County residents for potential flooding and prevent drownings. 

The Spanish versions of the full-length video and PSAs will be completed and placed in the media toolkit folder by Thursday, April 27, 2023.