Lake Isabella: Should the Dam Fail
As most people are now aware, Lake Isabella's dam has been rated by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, who owns and operates the dam, as one of the highest risk dams in the United States. There is an active earthquake fault running under the dam. Strong earthquakes on other faults in the Kern County area also may trigger dam failure and other damages.
The Army Corps of Engineers is looking at ways to fix the dam and reduce the serious risk it poses to the greater Bakersfield area. This could take several years. The County's Office of Emergency Services is working with the City of Bakersfield, County, State and Federal agencies to prepare a plan to quickly and efficiently evacuate about 200,000 residents and visitors from the huge flood zone. There are very important actions YOU can take now if you are told to evacuate.
You Can Prepare Now
Select a location on high ground where you can go to FAST. Prepare a "Go-Kit". It should contain the items listed in the evacuation section of this guide Keep your car or truck's fuel tank one-half full. If needed, take only one vehicle to help stop crowding the streets and highways in the area during the evacuation.
What To Do If The Ground Shakes And The Dam Fails:
- Act immediately! Protect yourself during earthquake shaking — drop, cover, and hold on. See other earthquake safety instructions on the Earthquake Preparedness page.
- Your key to survival will be to listen for evacuation instructions. These instructions may come by telephone, speakers mounted on fire and police vehicles, over television and radio channels, and police officers, firefighters, and volunteers coming to your home or business.
Follow These Simple Tips:
- Listen to local radio and television reports for evacuation information.
- Secure your home by closing and locking windows and doors and unplug or turn off appliances.
- Take your disaster "Go Kit," medical supplies, bedding, a change of clothes, car and house keys, cell phone, and friends or relatives addresses and phone numbers (if you are going to their homes), cash and credit cards, and other essential items.
- Go to hotels, motels, and public shelters if you have no other alternatives.
- Take your pets and service animals with you.
- Keep fuel in your car. Use one vehicle to help avoid traffic problems and take your neighbor if you have room.
- If you do not own a vehicle, move to assembly or pick-up points announced by local officials.
- If you are ill or cannot move by yourself, call 911.
- Use your telephone only to report dangerous situations or to request emergency help.
- Stay away from downed power lines, damaged buildings and bridges.
- Use only streets and roads specified by local authorities; shortcuts may be impassable or dangerous.
- Do not try to return to your home, business, or job until allowed to by local authorities.
In a worst-case scenario, a Main Dam failure with the lake full, this map details the peak flood depth of the affected area. For detailed maps go to Kern County's web site at www.co.kern.ca.us
