Heavy Rain in California, February 1 to 25, 1998

The following figures reflect estimated losses from the much above-normal rains and flooding of February. Subsequent months with normally increasing agricultural field operations were more significantly impacted by above normal rainfall. Consider this February list abridged and estimated in many respects (note Madera County is omitted, for example). The total rain/flood damage to area agriculture from the cooler and wetter spring in Central California is presented in the May Storm data figures.Fresno County Ag Loss $1.8M Property $1.6MKern County Ag Loss $5.4M Property $12.5MKings County Ag Loss $1.0M Property $20KMerced County Ag Loss $1.4M Property $2.0MTulare County Ag Loss $1.5M Property $13.9M Fresno County was hit by a series of storms that brought heavy rainfall to the Coast Range Mountains to the west and high wind and heavy rainfall to the Central San Joaquin Valley floor. Runoff from the Coast Range caused flooding in West Fresno County affecting agricultural areas around Mendota, Firebaugh, and Cantua Creek. Approximately 9,300 acres of farmland flooded. High wind from early February storms downed approximately 25,000 almond trees in Fresno County alone. Fields were muddied for the upcoming cotton planting date in early March, deciduous trees diseased, and dairy cows stressed to the point of limited milk production. In Kern County agricultural losses occurred due to flooding and erosion of fields that were planted and to many almond trees blown down by high wind. Other losses were attributed to livestock injury, buildings and equipment damage, and employees unable to work. Areas most severely impacted are Arvin-Lamont and McFarland, although flooding has occurred in the Lebec-Frazier Park-Cuddy Valley and Kern River Valley areas. In Kings County about $1.0M in flood protection costs was expended to try to protect ag land with an additional $20K in damages due to high water in local communities in the county. No February monthly summary reports for agriculture in Merced, Tulare, or Madera Counties. To place in perspective the month's above normal rainfall for the agricultural area, consider the following:Fresno(Fresno) Normal Rainfall 1.80" Received 5.10"Bakersfield(Kern) Normal Rainfall 1.03" Received 5.36"Hanford(Kings) Normal Rainfall 1.45" Received 4.26" (4.42" in Lemoore)Oakhurst (foothills of Madera County) Received 17.05" Late January and the month of February saw record amounts of precipitation due to the influence of El Nino. The Sacramento 8-station index for the 1998 water year increased 4.6 million acre-feet from 13.7 MAF to 18.3 MAF. January precipitation was 214% of average with the February amount at 265%! For the 8 reference stations, average precipitaiton is 7.9" but Feb 1998 had 20.9". The statewide snowpack water content by the end of February was running at 160% of normal.