Weather
Kern County, CA Flood Watch: Flash Flood Risk Oct. 21-22
Bakersfield, CA – A Flood Watch has been issued for most of Kern County, including Bakersfield, Tehachapi, Grapevine and surrounding communities, as a powerful weather system threatens to produce flas
By Audrey Sloan · 2026-10-20T20:29:50.859Z
Bakersfield, CA – A Flood Watch has been issued for most of Kern County, including Bakersfield, Tehachapi, Grapevine and surrounding communities, as a powerful weather system threatens to produce flash flooding Wednesday, October 21, through Thursday, October 22.
According to the National Weather Service in Hanford, the Flood Watch begins at 8 a.m. PDT Wednesday and continues until 8 p.m. Thursday, with excessive rainfall potentially causing dangerous flooding across portions of the southern San Joaquin Valley, Kern River Valley and Mojave Desert.
Forecasters warn that a strong low pressure system moving inland from the Southern California coast will interact with tropical moisture, creating conditions favorable for repeated rounds of heavy rainfall.
Storms moving over the same locations could produce rapid runoff, overwhelming drainage systems and flooding streets, creeks, streams and low lying areas.
The watch includes Bakersfield, Arvin, Lamont, Taft, Buttonwillow, Lost Hills, Lake Isabella, Kernville, Ridgecrest, Mojave, California City, Rosamond, Frazier Park and surrounding communities.
Highway 58 between mile markers 101 and 103 and the Borel burn scar are areas of particular concern, according to the Weather Service.
Burn scars can be especially vulnerable to rapid runoff and debris flows during intense rainfall because fire damaged terrain may absorb less water.
Drivers should prepare for possible flooded roadways, particularly near low water crossings, mountain routes and areas with poor drainage.
Residents are urged to monitor updated forecasts and be prepared to respond if Flash Flood Warnings are issued.
A Flood Watch means conditions are favorable for flooding, but flooding is not guaranteed.
The greatest concern remains Wednesday through Thursday evening as the storm system moves across the region.