BAKERSFIELD (KMPH) — It's not an uncommon sight to see water running down the road where Steven and Cassandra Amick live in East Bakersfield.

Surrounded by farmland, Edison Road is one of the areas that fills up with fast-moving water when it rains. Being near Caliente Creek and the mountains, melting snow and rain can trigger flooding.

Cassandra said the water in front of their house rose two-and-a-half feet in a period of 30 minutes Thursday, after a Flash Flood Watch was issued by the National Weather Service - Hanford.

Within about an hour, Cassandra said the water rose another four inches: about eight inches in total, all within just a few hours.

The Amicks said they saw big tree limbs, road signs and even an ice chest float by their property Thursday.

They said a farmer built a damn in the area 50 or 60 years ago, so much of the runoff flows through the roads near Lamont. Had the damn not been built, much of the rain and melted snow would drain off in the Arvin area, near a dump.

The Amicks said luckily, they went grocery shopping the day before this flooding started, so they're stocked up and now preparing for this weekend's storm. Steven says even with a lifted, 4x4 pickup, he wouldn't attempt to brave the water to get to town for supplies. He said the fast-moving water would push his truck around, potentially leading to a dangerous situation.

Meteorologists say they expect it to rain in Fresno, Kings, Madera, Tulare and Kern Counties throughout the weekend. For sandbag information in your area, contact the non-emergency line of your local fire department, or public works department.

Biola (Fresno), Area 4 Road Yard: 12855 W. "G" St.
Clovis Public Works Yard: 155 N. Sunnyside
Hanford Public Works yard: 900 S. 10th Ave.
Visalia Public Works yard: 335 N. Cain St.

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