May 2, 1998
A convergence line over the southeast corner of the Southern San Joaquin Valley led to low-topped convection in a line from East Bakersfield southward toward Lamont. The resulting heavy rain from the narrow thunderstorm band over the sloped terrain of Northeast Bakersfield led to rapid rises in storm runoff with substantial water depths at several locations in a 12 square mile area bounded by the Panorama Bluffs to the north...River Blvd to the west...Fairfax Ave to the east...and State Highway
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database (event 5637747). Narrative written by NWS staff at the time of the event.
This event is one of many recorded floods in Kern County. See the full FEMA flood zone map, NFIP claim totals, and disaster history for the area.