BAKERSFIELD, Calif.(KBAK/KBFX) — With El Niño raising the possibility of a wetter-than-normal winter, the city of Bakersfield is getting its water infrastructure ready for the potential of heavy rain and higher flows on the Kern River, even as officials acknowledge some areas could still face flooding challenges.
Kern County has seen flooding in recent years, including localized flooding on some streets in Bakersfield. City officials say preparations include inspecting levees and canals, clearing debris, maintaining stormwater basins and making sure crews are ready to respond.
The National Weather Service is monitoring El Niño as it develops in the Pacific. Matthew Carter of the National Weather Service said, “There’s about an 83% chance that this will be the warmest and strongest El Niño from those records.”…