UPDATE (11:32 a.m.): The cause of the flooding on Highway 99 at Lerdo Highway was a levee failure involving a temporary water storage basin.
According to David Hampton, General Manager of the North Kern Water Storage District, the flooding was caused by two internal levee walls designed to keep the water from shifting failing. Approximately 40-acre feet of water rushed towards the lowest spot in the basin and breached the outside wall, spilling out and flooding the immediate area, as well as spreading across part of the northbound lanes of Highway 99.
According to Hampton, the water was shut off and his crews are working to fix the breach. The basin will be re-examined once the repairs are done.
The temporary water storage basin was originally built south of Lerdo Highway, on the east side of Hwy 99 to collect some of the excessive runoff from the river. According to Hampton, the basin contains five ponds that cover approximately 80 acres.
UPDATE (10:40 a.m.): The California Department of Transportation (CalTrans) has released an official statement confirming that Highway 99 at Lerdo Highway is now open.
According to the CalTrans District 6 Twitter account, two lanes of Highway 99 have reopened. However, the third lane "is still closed at this time for debris removal."
BAKERSFIELD AREA, Update: Two lanes have been reopened. The #3 lane is still closed at this time for debris removal. Please drive with caution as traffic clears the area. https://t.co/YmWhnnWnKh
— Caltrans District 6 (@CaltransDist6) June 2, 2023
CalTrans asks that drivers use caution when traveling through the area.
UPDATE (10:35 a.m.): The northbound Highway 99 and Lerdo Highway junction is now open.
According to the California Highway Patrol, the first and second lanes of Highway 99 are open, while the third lane remains closed.
We will continue to update as more information becomes available.
UPDATE (9:54 a.m.): The California Department of Transportation has released an update on the condition of the road at the northbound Highway 99 and Lerdo Highway junction.
According to the CalTrans District 6 Twitter account, "Northbound State Route 99 is currently closed at Lerdo Highway due to flooding on the roadway." The account also confirmed that the flooding is due to a "break in a nearby levee."
BAKERSFIELD AREA: Northbound State Route 99 is currently closed at Lerdo Highway due to flooding on the roadway caused by a break in a nearby levee. Traffic is being diverted off at 7th Standard Road. No ETO at this time. pic.twitter.com/X3DovWJFIx
— Caltrans District 6 (@CaltransDist6) June 2, 2023
We will continue to update as more information becomes available.
Traffic is currently being diverted from northbound Highway 99 at the Lerdo Highway junction after a possible levee breach.
According to the Bakersfield Area California Highway Patrol, traffic is being diverted off the 99 from 7th Standard Road due to "lanes flooded on northbound Highway 99 at Lerdo Highway." The CHP also described the area as "completely flooded."
We will update as more information becomes available.
