The upper-level high pressure ridge moved inland on July 11th, with a low pressure area moving to along the coast. This pattern set up a southerly wind pattern over California, drawing up monsoonal moisture from the southeast on the 12th. Thunderstorms formed over the Tulare County Mountains by the early afternoon of the 12th. The storms become stronger as they spread south into Kern County.
Several bouts of flash flooding impacted portions of the Southern Sierra Nevada, Kern County mountains and deserts.  Heavy rain hit the Piute wildfire area 4 days in a row causing flash flooding into the Lake Isabella area.  Mud and debris flow swept into the town of Lake Isabella causing evacuations and helicopter rescues in the town.  The muddy waters shut down roads and businesses in Lake Isabella.  Some flooding also occurred on the 14th in the town of Tehachapi, where an apartment complex sustained significant damage.  Thompson Creek Road was washed out Tuesday afternoon stranding 40 homes, about 10 miles south of Lake Isabella.  On July 15, it was reported in the newspaper the Bakersfield water supply was being threatened by dirt and silt washing down the Kern River.  The California Water Service shut down a portion of their water treatment facility as of July 15.  The city has only a 3 day supply of clean emergency water and that is beginning to run out at one of the treatment plants.
Strong thunderstorms over the El Paso Mountains during the afternoon of July 13th caused flash flooding on the Randsburg Road, with erosion of the road. Later storms over the Piute Mountains caused flooding of Erskine Creek with mud and debris flows again moving into the town of Lake Isabella.
Afternoon and evening thunderstorms continued through the 15th, with activity diminishing on the 16th. Flooding was observed in the Thompson Canyon, Erskine Creek, and Kelso Canyon areas.

Flash Flood in MARIPOSA, CALIFORNIA
From 14-JUL-08 14:15:00 to 14-JUL-08 18:15:00 (PST-8)
Location: YOSEMITE LODGE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 2.50K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Road closed at both ends in Tioga Pass due to mud flows across the road. Thunderstorms dropped lots of hail. Pea-sized hail covered about a 2 mile section of the road.

Flash Flood in KERN, CALIFORNIA
From 14-JUL-08 14:32:00 to 14-JUL-08 18:00:00 (PST-8)
Location: HAVILAH
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Burn Area
Property damage: 100.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Employee

Flash flood Debris flow was reported on Johns Rd between Caliente Creek and Walsher Rd at 332 pm. NWS Incident meteorologist reported flash flooding on Erskine creek near Lake Isabella and Clear Creek at Havilah. at 430 pm. Water was reported covering Walker Basin Rd. Several utility poles on Johns Rd and Walker Basin Rd were undermined by fast flowing water. The intersection of Johns Rd and Walker Basin Rd were reported completely flooded out with water up to 3 feet deep.

Flash Flood in KERN, CALIFORNIA
From 13-JUL-08 14:18:00 to 13-JUL-08 15:18:00 (PST-8)
Location: GARLOCK
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Burn Area
Property damage: 25.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

The California Highway Patrol reported heavy rainfall runoff causing erosion at the Randsburg Road. This runoff was coming from heavy thunderstorms on Piute Mountain.

Flash Flood in KERN, CALIFORNIA
From 15-JUL-08 13:10:00 to 15-JUL-08 18:10:00 (PST-8)
Location: NEURALIA
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Burn Area
Property damage: 20.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: State Official

A Claraville weather station reported 2.15 inches of rain in only 90 minutes.  NWS Incident meteorologists reported pea-size hail and runoff developing from thunderstorm over the Piute Mountains. This thunderstorm enduced runoff near the Piute wildfire burn areas caused flooding of the Thompson Creek Road, and also in the Jawbone and Cortez Canyons, and Kelso Creek across Kelso Valley Road.

Flash Flood in KERN, CALIFORNIA
From 12-JUL-08 17:38:00 to 12-JUL-08 20:38:00 (PST-8)
Location: CALIF CITY CIVIC CTR
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Burn Area
Property damage: 1.50M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Employee

NWS Incident Meteorologists reported heavy rain that hit the Piute wildfire area caused flash flooding into the Lake Isabella area.  Mud and debris flow swept into the town of Lake Isabella causing evacuations and helicopter rescues in and around the town.

Flash Flood in KERN, CALIFORNIA
From 13-JUL-08 15:42:00 to 13-JUL-08 21:42:00 (PST-8)
Location: LORAINE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Burn Area
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Employee

NWS Incident meteorolgists relayed reports of flash flooding near Thompson Creek. California Highway Patrol reported runoff causing erosion of Randsburg-Redrock Rd.