From ABC 30 Action News – Any prolonged wet weather in California brings concerns about the big one. An Ark storm, an atmospheric river dumping too much water, revives fears of the 1861 Ark Storm that flooded the entire central valley. In 1997 heavy rain and snow melt filled Friant over capacity causing flooding along the river in north Fresno.  While it could happen again, Alan Hofmann, General Manager of the Metropolitan Flood Control district, says many of the issues that led to past flooding in the Fresno area have largely been alleviated. “It’s considerably better today than it was say, 30 years ago,” Hoffmann said. Hofmann says the area is better protected and he believes the districts extensive ponding basins and pumps provide a good margin of safety. (more)