🌧️🚫🏞️ Wetin Heavy Rain Dey Cause: California Rivers Don Turn Bad Zone

As water dey rush, e no new for Gwyny Pett ears. She don dey waka go Kern River tey tey reach wen she still dey small. As time dey waka go, she carry her own pikin dem come di river side, make dem dey catch small play for di water wey cool like say na only dem get am. She don see am for time wey water no too plenty, dat kind time wey you go need jump pass big stones to reach di water side. 🏊‍♀️🧒👶

She don also witness the time wey water go full everywhere. And even though Madam Pett, wey don reach 66 years now, look like say she ready to enter di river – she even wear her black bikini, carry towel sit down for her beach chair – she no plan to enter di water at all.

“I mean, dis one na real danger,” she talk as she dey point di water wey dey rush pass. 💦👙🪑

As big winter rain storms come fall, Kern River and other big rivers wey dey collect water from di snow wey dey melt for Sierra Nevada don turn to water wey dey rush anyhow. E don too bad reach where dem don ban people from enter di water for Central California. 🌨️🌊🚱

Since April reach now, e don dey like say na every time we dey hear say person don miss or person don kpai for different rivers for di state of California, as The Mercury News take talk. E even reach two pikin wey water carry commot for Kings River for inside Fresno County during May. One man wey dey use kayak even kpai for Kern River, like 20 miles upstream from where Madam Pett dey sit down. 🛶💔😱

“Water don too plenty for here now: e dey waka quick pass, e cold pass, and e dey kpai people pass as we don dey see for recent years,” na so Brian Ferguson, wey dey work for di Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, take yarn. “No training or exercise fit prepare person body.” 🌬️🌡️💪

Inside Central Valley and Sierra Nevada foothills, river swimming and rafting na di main thing for summer. Di snowmelt water fit be like gift from nature give people wey dey live for inside wey heat dey catch wella without any ocean breeze. 🏔️🏞️🎁

But every year, people dey kpai because dem no sabi how di currents wey dem no fit see go behave, dem no dey wear life jackets or sabi swim. Dis year, officials dey warn everybody say make dem shine eye, especially those wey don swim for river for normal years and come dey feel like say dem don become boss. ⚠️👀🏊‍♂️

“During Covid, plenty people find di outdoors,” na so Mike Howard, wey be superintendent for the Auburn State Recreation Area, wey include two forks of the American River about 35 miles northeast of Sacramento, take talk. “But as dem come dey waka go their favourite spot for June or on the Fourth of July, where swimming bin dey safe last year, dis year go different.” 😷🌲🌳

So far, na three people don kpai on top American River dis year. Mr. Howard talk say the state recreation area don put lifeguards for some places, but the currents dey too dangerous for them to swim after any visitor wey dey in distress. 🏊‍♂️🚑

“Na to stop am from happen na we dey focus on,” he talk.

For Fresno County, as water begin rise for March, officials lock Kings and San Joaquin Rivers for everybody except professional rafting companies and dem say anybody wey no obey go pay $225 fine. Tony Botti, wey be spokesman for di Fresno County Sheriff’s Office, say people dey obey wella. 💸🔒💼

“Na true say di katakata wey kpai two pikin wake dem up,” Mr. Botti talk. “Life over recreation.”

On Friday, Sheriff John Zanoni of Fresno County talk say his office don open San Joaquin River again because water level don reduce, but Kings River still lock. 🗝️⬇️🔐

Kern River get bad name as wahala water wey fine wella – e dey attract people wey like rafting and kayaking (e north fork na one of the steepest white water rivers for North America) but e fit show pepper to those wey no fit resist. 🌶️🛶💦

Mothers for Bakersfield dey warn their pikin make dem no jump inside, unless water go carry dem waka. Merle Haggard, the region’s pre-eminent troubadour, promise for one song say he go “never swim Kern River again” after e lover kpai for di water. One sign wey dey near di mouth of winding canyon road to campgrounds and Kernville, na town wey get old West style wey serve as base for river recreation, show this bad news: “325 LIVES LOST SINCE 1968.” 🎸🎶📜

Dem dey update the sign every year. 📅🔄

Kern River start from near Mount Whitney, wey be the highest point for contiguous United States, and e dey wind through Tulare County before e waka enter Kern County down to the valley floor, and through Bakersfield. For di river’s northern end, Sheriff Mike Boudreaux of Tulare County don officially block access to the water to everybody wey no be commercial outfitters. But him guy wey dey for south in Kern County, Sheriff Donny Youngblood, no do am. ⛰️🚧🚫

Lori Meza, wey be spokeswoman for the Kern County Sheriff’s Office, say to put swimming ban go hard wella because plenty agencies and property owners go need involve. But she say the department don dey work to tell people: If you dey near water, wear life jacket. Sabi where you get cell service in case you need to call for help. 📵📞💼

For past, na so dem dey warn people wey dey come from Los Angeles, wey many weekend travellers dey see Kern as affordable road trip without knowing the risks; the river na four-hour drive for more than one third of Southern California’s population. 🚗💨🌍

For one recent morning, Zac Boyd, wey be Kern County fire captain and na him be expert for swift water rescues, come explain how campers wey no plan to swim fit see di water come dey follow body. Dem no go know say di granite rocks dey slippery, dem fit slide enter powerful current if dem no hold body well. Pikin wey dem allow play too close to edge fit just waka commot.

Mr. Boyd say few fit turn their attention from the water, “e be like car crash.”

The worst dangers fit never come sef. Temperature don cool pass normal this spring for California, so more snow dey mountains pass wetin dem expect for mid-June. Assuming say summer temperatures go pass their normal 100 degrees even for higher place, na so we go see major snow melt for coming weeks.

Not far from where Madam Pett just dey enjoy shade for Sandy Flat Campground, new campers talk say dem don hear the warning and dem just dey happy to see say the river don come back life.

“I dey happy to hear say the snowpack don come back to where e suppose dey,” na so Hamilton Cerna, 41, wey come from Long Beach with him family talk. “If that means we no fit enter di river, make we just respect am.”

Still, some people no fit resist the temptation of the raging waters.

From one spot wey high pass di white water rapids, Augie Houlemard, 29, wey be general manager for Kern River Outfitters, dey watch as the first of three rafts wey him guides dey inside just crash against one big rock wey water come dey cover.

“E take a big chunk of am,” Mr. Houlemard talk. The other two rafts pass am. “That one dey good!” he talk, smiling.

When him and him colleagues no dey guide people for rafting, dem dey train to ensure say dem fit lead visitors safely, dem dey check where obstacles fit dey and dem dey practice their routes. When dem no dey inside water, dem dey always dey track the river flow, dey argue when e go reach him peak and where condition go dey better to start boat ride.

“People still dey talk about 2019, and 2019 na big year,” he talk. “But this one wey we get now, e no reach anywhere near.”

As di summer season dey enter full swing, di danger wey di rivers dey pose remain real. Officials and experts dey advise everybody make dem take the warnings seriously and no underestimate the power of di currents. E dey important to prioritize safety and follow all guidelines wey dem provide to avoid tragic incidents. 🌊🚧🏞️🔒

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NOW IN ENGLISH

🌧️🚫🏞️ Heavy Rainfall Causes Havoc: California Rivers Turn Hazardous

As the rushing water fills the air, Gwyny Pett is no stranger to its sound. She has been frequenting the Kern River for many years, starting from her childhood when she used to camp there. Over time, she brought her own children to enjoy the calm shallows that felt like a private pool. She has seen the river during dry spells, where the challenge was navigating the exposed pebbles that tripped her ankles.

But she has also witnessed the destructive power of the river during times of high water. And even though Ms. Pett, now 66 years old, appeared ready for a swim with her black bikini and beach towel draped over her beach chair, there was no way she was getting into the water.

“I mean, this is dangerous,” she said, gesturing towards the fast-flowing water. 💦👙🪑

After a series of heavy winter rainstorms, the Kern River and other major rivers fed by the melting snow from the Sierra Nevada have transformed into treacherous torrents. The danger is so severe that several counties in Central California have prohibited people from entering the water. 🌨️🌊🚱

Since April, there have been numerous reports of people missing or losing their lives in rivers across the state, as reported by The Mercury News. In May, two young siblings were swept away by the Kings River in Fresno County. Just recently, a kayaker lost his life on the Kern River, approximately 20 miles upstream from where Ms. Pett was sitting. 🛶💔😱

“There is an unprecedented amount of water right now: it’s faster, colder, and more lethal than what we have seen in recent years,” said Brian Ferguson, spokesperson for the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services. “No amount of training or exercise can prepare the human body for this.” 🌬️🌡️💪

In the Central Valley and Sierra Nevada foothills, river swimming and rafting are popular activities during the summer season. The snowmelt-infused waters are seen as a natural gift for inland residents who endure scorching heat without the refreshing ocean breeze. 🏔️🏞️🎁

However, every year, people lose their lives because they underestimate the unseen currents, often neglecting to wear life jackets or lacking proper swimming skills. This year, officials are warning everyone to exercise caution, especially those who have safely enjoyed river activities during normal years and may feel overly confident. ⚠️👀🏊‍♂️

“During the Covid pandemic, many people discovered the outdoors,” said Mike Howard, superintendent for the Auburn State Recreation Area, which includes two forks of the American River located approximately 35 miles northeast of Sacramento. “But as they return to their favorite spots in June or on the Fourth of July, where swimming was relatively safe last year, this year will be very different.” 😷🌲🌳

So far, at least three people have drowned in the American River this year. Mr. Howard mentioned that the state recreation area has deployed swift water lifeguards in certain areas, but the currents are too dangerous for them to swim in when rescuing distressed visitors.

“Our main focus is on prevention,” he said.

In Fresno County, as water levels began to rise in March, officials closed the Kings and San Joaquin Rivers to the public, except for professional rafting companies, and violators were threatened with fines of $225. According to Tony Botti, spokesperson for the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office, compliance with the closures has been high. 💸🔒💼

“Unfortunately, the tragic incident involving the two children served as a wake-up call,” said Mr. Botti. “Preserving life takes precedence over recreational activities.”

On Friday, Sheriff John Zanoni of Fresno County announced the reopening of the San Joaquin River due to lower water levels, but the closure of the Kings River remains in effect. 🗝️⬇️🔐

The Kern River has gained a reputation as a tempestuous beauty, attracting rafters and kayakers due to its allure (the north fork is one of the steepest white water rivers in North America), but it can be treacherous for those who cannot resist its charm.

Mothers in Bakersfield strictly prohibit their children from diving into the river to avoid the risk of being swept away. Merle Haggard, the renowned troubadour of the region, declared in a song that he would “never swim Kern River again” after losing a loved one to its waters. A famous sign near the mouth of a winding canyon road leading to campgrounds and Kernville, a town with an Old West atmosphere that serves as a hub for river recreation, displays a grim tally: “325 LIVES LOST SINCE 1968.” 🎸🎶📜

The sign is updated annually. 📅🔄

The Kern River originates near Mount Whitney, the highest point in the contiguous United States, and winds through Tulare County before flowing into Kern County, passing through the valley floor and the city of Bakersfield. At the river’s northern end, Sheriff Mike Boudreaux of Tulare County has officially restricted access to the water, allowing only commercial outfitters. However, his counterpart in Kern County, Sheriff Donny Youngblood, has not implemented such restrictions. ⛰️🚧🚫

Lori Meza, spokesperson for the Kern County Sheriff’s Office, acknowledged that enforcing a swimming ban would be challenging due to the involvement of numerous agencies and property owners. However, she emphasized that the department has been actively spreading awareness, encouraging everyone to wear life jackets and know where they have cell service in case they need to call for help. 📵📞💼

In the past, such warnings have often not reached Los Angeles, where many weekend travelers view the Kern River as an affordable road trip without fully understanding the risks involved. The river is within a four-hour drive for over a third of Southern California’s population. 🚗💨🌍

On a recent morning, Zac Boyd, a Kern County fire captain and expert in swift water rescues, explained how campers who do not intend to swim are often drawn towards the water. Unaware of the slippery granite rocks, they can easily be swept away by the powerful currents if they lose their footing. Children playing too close to the river’s edge can vanish in an instant.

Mr. Boyd observed that few can divert their attention from the water, likening it to a car crash.

The worst dangers may still lie ahead. Spring temperatures have been cooler than usual across California, resulting in more snow in the mountains than anticipated in mid-June. Assuming that summer temperatures will soar above their typical 100 degrees, even at higher elevations, significant snowmelt is expected in the weeks to come.

Not far from where Ms. Pett sat, enjoying the shade at Sandy Flat Campground, some newer campers expressed that they have heard the warnings and are content to witness the river’s powerful resurgence.

“I’m glad to hear that the snowpack is back to where it needs to be,” said Hamilton Cerna, a 41-year-old visitor from Long Beach. “If it means we can’t enter the river, then so be it.”

Nevertheless, the raging waters remain irresistible to some thrill-seekers.

From a vantage point overlooking the churning white water rapids, Augie Houlemard, the 29-year-old general manager of Kern River Outfitters, watched as the first of three rafts, carrying his guides, careened over a boulder hidden beneath the cascading water.

“He hit a big chunk there,” Mr. Houlemard remarked. The other two rafts safely navigated past. “That was a good one!” he exclaimed, smiling.

When he and his colleagues are not guiding rafting expeditions, they undergo rigorous training to ensure the safety of their guests. They scout for potential hazards and practice their routes. When they are not on the water, they obsessively monitor the river’s flow, debating when it will reach its peak and identifying the best conditions for launching boats.

“People are still talking about 2019, and that was a big year,” he said. “But this year is on a whole different level.”