Evacuation orders in place throughout parts of Merced County

This week’s major storms continue to impact residents of Merced County as evacuation orders are in place due to drastic flooding. 

Merced County Sheriff Vern Warnke also issued a stern warning to anyone thinking about ignoring the evacuation orders and staying behind. 

Driving the news: One of the major factors in the evacuation orders surrounded around Bear Creek overflowing and threatening thousands of homes. 

• The county issued an evacuation order for the entire community of Planada. All areas under an evacuation order can be viewed here.
• The following schools and school districts shuttered classes amid flooding:
  • Merced County School District
  • El Nido Elementary School District
  • Ballico-Cressey School District
  • Le Grand High School
  • McSwain Union Elementary School District
  • Merced County Office of Education,
  • Merced City School District
  • Merced Union High School District,
  • Merced River School District
  • Planada Elementary School District
  • Weaver Union School District 

What they’re saying: Warnke didn’t mince words in a message he recorded on Tuesday regarding anyone thinking about staying behind and neglecting to follow the evacuation order. 

• Do you think that we are going to be rolling around in the mud if you don’t want to get out of your house? No, but understand that if you don’t get out of your house, the resources coming to get you might be slim because we got them dedicated to folks coming out,” Warnke said. “So if you stay back and then all of a sudden you need help, it may not be available. So when I ask you to get out, please do so. It’s not because we are trying to do anything other than keep you safe.” 
• Warnke continued, “We’ve had people absolutely disregarding the barricades. Folks, that is for your safety. We had someone a little bit ago in Planada come across the railroad tracks thinking they were going to be cute and got into the water. Next thing you know they became bobbers. Their cars are now ruined. We have hundred-plus cars in Planada that are ruined through natural causes, by them sitting in the yard where the water came up. Or numbskulls running barricades and thinking they should be able to go through there.”