Water Damage Restoration in Bakersfield, CA
Bakersfield by the numbers: 83 flood report days from 2016 to 2025, 17 freezing nights a year, 8 federal disaster declarations since 2016. Below: first steps, the records, California insurance rules and costs.
Updated November 2, 2026
First Steps for Water in a Home in Bakersfield
- Burst pipe: shut the main water valve, then open the lowest faucet to drain the lines (burst pipe steps).
- Stay clear of wet outlets and cords.
- Photograph the damage, then call your insurer.
Bakersfield Flood Record
NOAA has 315 flood and flash flood reports for Kern County from 2016 to 2025, on 83 separate days; January had the most.
At the Bakersfield 6.1 WSW gauge, February is the wettest month with 1.8 inches on average.
| Month | Flood report days | Normal precipitation (in) |
|---|---|---|
| January | 20 | 1.3 |
| February | 9 | 1.8 |
| March | 11 | 1.5 |
| April | 3 | 0.9 |
| May | 7 | 0.4 |
| June | 3 | 0.1 |
| July | 1 | 0.1 |
| August | 6 | 0 |
| September | 3 | 0.1 |
| October | 3 | 0.5 |
| November | 3 | 0.6 |
| December | 14 | 1.4 |
Freezing Nights in Bakersfield
Bakersfield averages 17 nights a year at or below 32°F (Bakersfield 5 NW station). NOAA counted 84 winter storm, ice or extreme cold days in Kern County from 2016 to 2025.
Unheated crawl spaces, attics and garages freeze first (Red Cross); keep the heat at 55°F or more (IBHS).
Storms and Disasters in Bakersfield
Kern County was named in 8 federal weather or fire declarations since 2016 (OpenFEMA).
Notable NOAA storm reports
- June 5, 2023: Hail, 1.75 inch hail (Kern County)Golf ball sized hail was observed in Stallion Springs and posted on Facebook with pictures.
- May 21, 2023: Thunderstorm wind, 66 mph gust (Kern County)The China Lake NWTC ASOS measured wind gust of 66 mph with a thunderstorm.
- June 2, 2019: Tornado, EF0 (Kern County)A small EF0 tornado touched down in a rural area east of Bakersfield and northeast of Lamont. The tornado tracked southwestward for around 300 yards.
- April 16, 2019: Tornado, EF0 (Kern County)An EF0 touched down north of Bowman Rd. in Ridgecrest and tracked northeast. The tornado crossed Church Ave., then moved through a scrapyard and crossed into San Bernadino County.
- January 22, 2017: Flood (Kern County)California Highway Patrol reported Lynch Canyon Road with 1 to 2 inches of roadway flooding near State Route 178 in Mountain Mesa.
Federal disaster declarations
- July 27, 2024: Borel FireFire, FEMA FM-5522
- November 21, 2023: Tropical Storm HilaryHurricane, FEMA DR-4750
- April 3, 2023: Severe Winter Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, And MudslidesSevere Storm, FEMA DR-4699
- March 10, 2023: Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, And MudslidesFlood, FEMA EM-3592
- August 25, 2021: French FireFire, FEMA FM-5416
Bakersfield Housing at a Glance
Census figures for the city of Bakersfield (American Community Survey, 2020 to 2024): 135,724 housing units, a median build year of 1990, 35% built before 1980, 20% before 1970, 61% owner occupied.
California Insurance Rules for Water Claims
California insurers must acknowledge a claim notice within 15 calendar days unless they pay in that time (California Department of Insurance, property claims adjusting guide (2026)).
Claim problems in California go to the California Department of Insurance.
Flood damage needs a separate flood policy, which typically starts 30 days after purchase (FloodSmart). Look up Bakersfield flood zones on FEMA's flood maps.
Restoration Cost Guide for Bakersfield
| Typical range (national) | Cost |
|---|---|
| Most jobs | $1,305 to $5,707 |
| Sewage, per sq ft | $7 to $7.50 |
| Average insurer payout, water or freeze claim | $15,400 |
Sources: Bob Vila, May 2023; III, 2019 to 2023.
Areas Served Around Bakersfield
The same 24/7 line covers the Bakersfield metro area, including:
- Bakersfield
- Delano
- Ridgecrest
- Wasco
- Shafter
- Arvin
Other California city guides
- Los Angeles water damage restoration
- San Francisco water damage restoration
- Riverside water damage restoration
- San Diego water damage restoration
- San Jose water damage restoration
- Sacramento water damage restoration
- Fresno water damage restoration
- Oxnard water damage restoration
- Stockton water damage restoration
- Vallejo water damage restoration
- Modesto water damage restoration
- Visalia water damage restoration
- Santa Rosa water damage restoration
Questions
When is the first freeze in Bakersfield?
The median first night at or below 32°F is December 8 and the median last is January 31 at the Bakersfield 5 NW station (NOAA normals, 1991 to 2020).
How fast does mold start?
Dry wet materials within 24 to 48 hours (EPA).
Sources: NOAA Storm Events, NOAA normals, OpenFEMA, Census ACS, California Department of Insurance, property claims adjusting guide (2026), EPA mold guide.