Sonora, CA…The rains and rapid melting snow runoff caused some anxious hours today as the Moccasin Creek Dam threatened to give way. There was also damage to numerous local roadways that will take some time to get repaired and back open. Below the Tuolumne County Sheriff talks about the afternoon. We also included the running updates from this afternoon from Caltrans District 10 and the Sheriff’s Office to give you and idea of how the events progressed.

4:38 PM UPDATE:
DAM failure is no longer imminent, but potential. Old and New Priest grades have been opened as well as HWY 120.

3:13PM UPDATE:
Shelter announcements will be released as soon as they are set up.
HWY 120 closed at HWY 49 to/from Groveland.

2:35 PM UPDATE:
Imminent danger of Moccasin Creek Dam failure. Moccasin Creek Road/ Hwy 49.

1:43 PM UPDATE:
Report of propane tank in roadway, HWY 120 Groveland.

1:34 PM UPDATE
Tree down, Crystal Falls and W. Creekside.
Power lines down Paseo De Los Portales near Phoenix Lake Rd.

1:20 PM UPDATE:
HWY 132 at Las Palmas, roadway flooding and debris in road.
Priest Coulterville road from county line to county line closed.

1:01 PM UPDATE:
ROAD CLOSED:
Kewin Mill Rd at Bellview Elementary for flooding.

12:41 PM UPDATE:
ROAD CLOSURE
Paseo De Los Portales near the golf course.

12:33PM UPDATE:
ROAD HAZARDS/CLOSURES:
SR-108 at Old Wards Ferry Rd, water on the roadway, use alternate route.
North and Southbound SR-49 at Rawhide Junction blocked due to flooding.

12:20 PM UPDATE:
ROAD CLOSURE:
Phoenix Lake road closed between Bellview Estates and Phoenix Lake Estates for downed power line.

SCHOOL CLOSURE/ EVACUATION:
Gold Rush Charter for possible flooding.

Original Post 11:59 AM:
Don’t drown, turn around… “It takes just 12 inches of rushing water to carry away a small car.”
Many roads in the Motherlode are experiencing flooding. Do not cross any roadway that has moving water on it.

The National Weather Service tells us each year, more deaths occur due to flooding than from any other thunderstorm related hazard. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that over half of all flood-related drownings occur when a vehicle is driven into hazardous flood water.

The next highest percentage of flood-related deaths is due to walking into or near flood waters. People underestimate the force and power of water. Many of the deaths occur in automobiles as they are swept downstream.
Of these drownings, many are preventable, but too many people continue to drive around the barriers that warn you the road is flooded.

A mere 6 inches of fast-moving flood water can knock over an adult. It takes just 12 inches of rushing water to carry away a small car, while 2 feet of rushing water can carry away most vehicles. It is NEVER safe to drive or walk into flood waters.

The locations for sand throughout the county are located at Columbia Airport – 10723 Airport Road at the airport parking lot.
Big Oak Flat – 11240 Wards Ferry Road Groveland.
Tuolumne Yard – 18870 Birch Street Tuolumne.
Jamestown Road Yard – 18188 7th Avenue
Tuolumne City Fire – 18690 Main Street Tuolumne.

**UPDATE** Moccasin Dam No Longer At Risk – State Route 120 is Now OPEN
State Route 49 at SR-120 to remain closed due to undercutting that will require repairs.

**Original Post**
Imminent Dam Failure Threatens State Route 49 and State Route 120 in Tuolumne County

State Routes 49 (SR-49) and SR-120 in the vicinity of the Moccasin Dam in Tuolumne County are both closed due to flash flooding. The National Weather Service reports that the Moccasin Dam is facing imminent failure, but that flood waters will be contained by Don Pedro reservoir, 1 mile downstream from Moccasin Dam.

Please avoid travel in this area as emergency crews are working in the area. Caltrans will issue updates on Twitter @CaltransDist10 and on Facebook.

Check Caltrans for road conditions: quickmap.dot.ca.gov or 1-800-427-7623