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California Flood Stories

3,441 first-hand accounts of flood events in California, ranked by impact. Each is a NOAA-written narrative of the moment.

Coastal Flood

Orange County Coastal, CA · Jan 18, 2019

High tides and surf brought large waves and coastal flooding to Southern California. Areas of the San Diego County coastline observed sets as high as 15 ft and significant coastal flooding due to the King Tides.

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Coastal Flood

San Diego County Coastal Areas, CA · Jan 18, 2019

High tides and surf brought large waves and coastal flooding to Southern California. Areas of the San Diego County coastline observed sets as high as 15 ft and significant coastal flooding due to the King Tides.

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Flood

San Bernardino, CA · Jul 30, 2021

Enhanced monsoonal moisture surged into Southern California, producing heavy thunderstorms across the San Bernardino County Mountains, the Riverside County Mountains and the San Diego County Mountains.

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Flood

Kern, CA · Jan 31, 2019

A low pressure system dropped southward off the central California coast during the morning of January 31 then moved inland across southern California during the afternoon.

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Flash Flood

Ventura, CA · Feb 23, 1998

The final...and deadliest...storm of the month struck Central and Southern California. Rainfall totals ranged from 1 to 4 inches over the coast with up to 14 inches in the mountains. Widespread urban and small stream flooding was reported.

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Flash Flood

Ventura, CA · Feb 3, 1998

The first powerful storm of the month slammed into Central and Southern California. Powerful winds buffeted the entire area. Hearst Castle, in San Luis Obispo county, reported winds gusting to 90 mph. Elsewhere, winds gusting in excess of 70 mph were reported.

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Flood

Santa Clara, CA · Feb 28, 2014

A Pacific storm system moved across the Bay Area on February 28. It dropped several inches of rainfall and brought gusty winds to the area. This resulted in flooding of urban areas, small streams and creeks, and damage to power lines and trees as well as a few localized mud and…

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Flood

Santa Clara, CA · Nov 29, 2018

A mid/upper level low moved through the region at the end of November. A cool unstable air mass allowed for the development of scattered thunderstorms across the region that produced lightning and small hail.

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Flood

San Francisco, CA · Nov 28, 2018

A mid/upper level low moved through the region at the end of November. A cool unstable air mass allowed for the development of scattered thunderstorms across the region that produced lightning and small hail.

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Flood

San Francisco, CA · Nov 28, 2018

A mid/upper level low moved through the region at the end of November. A cool unstable air mass allowed for the development of scattered thunderstorms across the region that produced lightning and small hail.

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Flood

San Francisco, CA · Nov 28, 2018

A mid/upper level low moved through the region at the end of November. A cool unstable air mass allowed for the development of scattered thunderstorms across the region that produced lightning and small hail.

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Flood

San Francisco, CA · Nov 28, 2018

A mid/upper level low moved through the region at the end of November. A cool unstable air mass allowed for the development of scattered thunderstorms across the region that produced lightning and small hail.

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Flood

Sonoma, CA · Nov 29, 2018

A mid/upper level low moved through the region at the end of November. A cool unstable air mass allowed for the development of scattered thunderstorms across the region that produced lightning and small hail.

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Flood

Monterey, CA · Nov 29, 2018

A mid/upper level low moved through the region at the end of November. A cool unstable air mass allowed for the development of scattered thunderstorms across the region that produced lightning and small hail.

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Flood

San Mateo, CA · Nov 29, 2018

A mid/upper level low moved through the region at the end of November. A cool unstable air mass allowed for the development of scattered thunderstorms across the region that produced lightning and small hail.

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Flood

Napa, CA · Nov 29, 2018

A mid/upper level low moved through the region at the end of November. A cool unstable air mass allowed for the development of scattered thunderstorms across the region that produced lightning and small hail.

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Flood

Alameda, CA · Nov 29, 2018

A mid/upper level low moved through the region at the end of November. A cool unstable air mass allowed for the development of scattered thunderstorms across the region that produced lightning and small hail.

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Flash Flood

San Bernardino, CA · May 22, 2019

A second cold trough moved through Southern California May 19-22nd. Showers and thunderstorms occurred throughout much of the region, and snow was observed in the mountain areas.

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Flash Flood

San Bernardino, CA · May 22, 2019

A second cold trough moved through Southern California May 19-22nd. Showers and thunderstorms occurred throughout much of the region, and snow was observed in the mountain areas.

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Flash Flood

San Bernardino, CA · May 22, 2019

A second cold trough moved through Southern California May 19-22nd. Showers and thunderstorms occurred throughout much of the region, and snow was observed in the mountain areas.

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Flash Flood

Riverside, CA · Jul 26, 2021

Monsoonal thunderstorm activity occurred across Southern California from July 22 to July 29, with a major easterly wave producing widespread convection on July 25 and 26.

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Flash Flood

Riverside, CA · Jul 26, 2021

Monsoonal thunderstorm activity occurred across Southern California from July 22 to July 29, with a major easterly wave producing widespread convection on July 25 and 26.

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Flash Flood

Riverside, CA · Jul 26, 2021

Monsoonal thunderstorm activity occurred across Southern California from July 22 to July 29, with a major easterly wave producing widespread convection on July 25 and 26.

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Flash Flood

Riverside, CA · Jul 26, 2021

Monsoonal thunderstorm activity occurred across Southern California from July 22 to July 29, with a major easterly wave producing widespread convection on July 25 and 26.

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