FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) — The National Weather Service says law enforcement has confirmed that a tornado has touched down near Biola, 8 miles west of Fresno at 2:37 p.m. on Tuesday
A tornado warning has been issued until 3 p.m. for Madera and Fresno counties and is moving northeast at 15 miles per hour.
It is currently heading towards Fresno and Bonadelle Ranchos-Madera Ranchos, including the Friant area.
They do warn that this is a damaging tornado with flying debris. Damage to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. H
NWS recommends taking shelter in a basement or interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building.
Clovis Unified had confirmed that all schools in the district WERE under a shelter-in-place due to a region-wide tornado alert issued by the National Weather Service.
The following update was sent out at 3:08pm:
UPDATE: The National Weather Service has lifted the regional tornado warning in our area. Clovis Unified schools are now proceeding with regular release of those campuses past their normal end time. All other schools will release at their normally scheduled end time. Bus routes may be slightly delayed and the transportation department will remain in communication with families if a route is impacted by a delay. Thank you for your patience as we responded to keep our campuses secure during this severe weather episode.
At 2:50 pm, the statement put out by the district read:
“If a school has not already been released for end-of-school-day student pickup, students will be held in their classrooms until further notice, and schools will not release students until further notice. Bus schedules are delayed until the end of this regional weather warning, at which time we will communicate with families.”
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