Flood Concerns in Frazier Park

  • Kern County Sheriff's Deputy David Benson goes door to door Thursday, Dec. 6 in neighborhoods below the Scott Fire burn area, to alert residents to the danger of potential flooding and debris if rains become heavy. Sheriff's volunteers helped alert residents in the Cuddy Creek area on the same day.

    Kern County Sheriff's Deputy David Benson goes door to door Thursday, Dec. 6 in neighborhoods below the Scott Fire burn area, to alert residents to the danger of potential flooding and debris if rains become heavy. Sheriff's volunteers helped alert residents in the Cuddy Creek area on the same day.

According to the National Weather Service, a storm system moving toward California will bring rain and mountain snow to portions of the Kern County mountains beginning Thursday evening. The Grapevine may be affected, and mudslide warnings are being issued in areas near recently burned slopes. A snow advisory may be issued between December 6 and 9.

A Special Weather Statement dated December 5 said the system will have “plenty of moisture and cold air to work with. Snow levels could fall as low as 5,000 feet by late Friday…and even lower in heavy snow showers. This would bring the threat of accumulating snow Friday night and early Saturday to the higher parts of heavily travelled mountain passes such as the Grapevine.”

Frazier Park residents below the burn area of the July 2006 Scott fire are asked to be prepared to evacuate in case the rains become heavy. Kern County Fire Department Public Information Officer Sean Collins told The Mountain Enterprise on Wednesday, Dec. 5, “Have an evacuation route and have a plan to meet with family members at a predetermined location. Remember that six inches of water can stall a vehicle when driving and that two feet of water can carry a vehicle away.”

[View/download map of Frazier Park flood area]
[View/download map of Cuddy Creek homes flood area]
[View/download Kern County flood safety brochure Page One][View/download Kern County flood safety brochure Page Two]

Collins added, “Residents should remember, if it looks bad, it probably is. If in doubt, get out.”

The period of heaviest precipitation is expected to be from Thursday night through Saturday, however, a lingering chance of snow showers may persist over Kern County into Sunday, with winds between 25 and 50 miles per hour. Snow accumulation may exceed several inches, according to the report. If the forecast changes significantly, a notice will posted on www.MountainEnterprise.com.

This is part of the November 30, 2007 online edition of The Mountain Enterprise.

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