Enter any address in Kern County, California to see its FEMA flood zone
Flood and flash flood events have been the most common types of weather-related incidents in Kern County over the past 30 years, with 321 flood events and 134 flash flood events recorded. Recent examples include nuisance flooding reported on February 13, 2025, during a period of widespread precipitation and strong winds, and flash flooding in eastern Kern County on December 24, 2025, which led to road closures following heavy rainfall from an atmospheric river.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data indicates that properties in Zone A have the highest number of claims, with an average payout of $4,787 and an average water depth of 1.1 feet. Properties in Zone X, despite having fewer claims, show a higher average payout of $5,486 and a greater average water depth of 3.0 feet. Homeowners in Zone A and Zone X, as well as those in areas with unknown flood risk, should pay particular attention to flood preparedness.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
353 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Kern County, California has recorded 455 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 134 flash floods and 321 river or area floods. The county has received 40 federal disaster declarations, 8 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1967–2024)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Borel Fire | Fire | Jul 25, 2024 |
| Tropical Storm Hilary | Hurricane | Aug 19, 2023 |
| Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides | Flood | Mar 9, 2023 |
| Severe Winter Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides | Severe Storm | Feb 21, 2023 |
| French Fire | Fire | Aug 24, 2021 |
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Earthquakes | Earthquake | Jul 4, 2019 |
| Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, And Mudslides | Flood | Jan 18, 2017 |
| Cedar Fire | Fire | Aug 16, 2016 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flood | Dec 25, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Dec 24, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 18, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Nov 15, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Nov 15, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Oct 14, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Feb 13, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 1, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Nov 25, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Dec 24, 2024 | 0.00K |
Flood — Dec 25, 2025
A strong atmospheric river moved through California late on December 23rd into the afternoon of December 24th. Very heavy rainfall and strong gusty winds were observed across most of our County Warning Area (CWA). The heaviest rainfall was observed in Fresno, Mariposa and Kern County. Rainfall ranged from around half inch up to four inches in some localized areas. Flash flooding occurred mainly...
Flood — Dec 24, 2025
A strong atmospheric river moved through California late on December 23rd into the afternoon of December 24th. Very heavy rainfall and strong gusty winds were observed across most of our County Warning Area (CWA). The heaviest rainfall was observed in Fresno, Mariposa and Kern County. Rainfall ranged from around half inch up to four inches in some localized areas. Flash flooding occurred mainly...
Flash Flood — Sep 18, 2025
On the 18th and 19th, abundant rainfall fell in much of our forecast area due to the remnants of a tropical storm (Mario) that moved over the eastern Pacific Ocean from along the coast of Baja California. The heaviest precipitation was reported in the Kern County desert towards the Indian Wells Valley where around 2-3 inches of rain fell on the 18th. Other locations in the San Joaquin Valley, s...
Flash Flood — Nov 15, 2025
A prolonged period with significant precipitation occurred on the 13th until the 17th due to a series of systems that brought abundant moisture. Many San Joaquin Valley locations received around 1-3 inches of rain for that period, and the Sierra Nevada foothills, as well as the Sierra Nevada below the snow line, received around 3-6 inches. Snow levels varied from around 8,000 to 9,500 feet from...
Flood — Nov 15, 2025
A prolonged period with significant precipitation occurred on the 13th until the 17th due to a series of systems that brought abundant moisture. Many San Joaquin Valley locations received around 1-3 inches of rain for that period, and the Sierra Nevada foothills, as well as the Sierra Nevada below the snow line, received around 3-6 inches. Snow levels varied from around 8,000 to 9,500 feet from...
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Individual Claims (2.25M records analyzed).
FEMA assigns flood zone designations to areas in Kern County, California:
AE High Risk — 1% annual chance of flooding. Insurance required.
VE Very High Risk — Coastal flooding with wave action.
X (Shaded) Moderate Risk — 500-year floodplain.
X Low Risk — Outside major floodplains.
Properties in Kern County, California that are in FEMA-designated Special Flood Hazard Areas (zones A and V) with federally backed mortgages are required to carry flood insurance.
Even outside high-risk zones, flood insurance is recommended. From 2014 to 2024, nearly one-third of NFIP claims came from outside the high-risk Special Flood Hazard Area.
Visit FloodSmart.gov to find an agent and get a quote.