Search continues for two people reported missing in storm-related incidents

The search continued on Saturday for two people reported missing in Mariposa County, believed to have been swept away in separate incidents tied to recent storm-related flooding in the Sierra foothills.

Search and rescue crews have scoured the northern and southern parts of Mariposa County for the two victims — a man and a woman — since Thursday, according to Kristie Mitchell, public information officer with the Mariposa County Sheriff's Office.

Mitchell said she could not release the names or descriptions of the two nor the circumstances of their disappearances.

However, The Union Democrat in Sonora identified the missing man as John Honesto, a former Sonora High School assistant wrestling coach and Tuolumne County resident.

According to his daughter's Facebook Page, Honesto went missing at about 12:30 p.m. on Thursday near Greeley Hill, about 75 miles southeast of Modesto.

He was last seen driving a Toyota Avalon, which was found empty more than a mile downstream from where Highway 132 washed out, according to her post.

Mitchell confirmed that the vehicle of one of the victims had been found.

The woman was reported missing Thursday afternoon in the area of Catheys Valley, which is about 20 miles northeast of Merced.

The Mariposa and Tuolumne County sheriff's offices' search and rescue teams have been searching for both victims. A helicopter from the California Highway Patrol's Fresno office also has been used.

According to the Union Democrat, Honesto had worked for the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation in Stockton. During his retirement, he worked as an assistant coach at Sonora and also substitute taught at schools in and around Tuolumne and Mariposa counties.

The rains continued to fall in the foothills on Saturday. Meanwhile, downtown Modesto received 0.05 inches as of 4 p.m., according to the Modesto Irrigation District.

There's no rain in the forecast in and around Modesto over the next two weeks.

This story was originally published March 24, 2018 at 12:19 PM with the headline "Search continues for two people reported missing in storm-related incidents."