FloodZoneMap.org

Flood — San Mateo, CA

Dec 13, 2021

A low pressure system descended from the Gulf of Alaska southward along the entire Pacific Coast and tapped into sub-tropical moisture originating from the Central Pacific to drop heavy rain throughout the state. A stalled frontal boundary over the Santa Cruz Mountains along with strong southerly winds from a coastal low-level jet, enhanced orographic rainfall over this region, leading to rainfall totals over a 2 day period (Dec 12th-13th) of up to ten inches in the coastal mountains. The stalle

Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database (event 1000077). Narrative written by NWS staff at the time of the event.

Flood Risk Context for San Mateo, CA

This event is one of many recorded floods in San Mateo County. See the full FEMA flood zone map, NFIP claim totals, and disaster history for the area.

View San Mateo County flood data →

More Flood Stories

Flash Flood$500K damage

San Mateo, CA · Dec 11, 2014

An Atmospheric River event brought heavy rain and gusty winds with a strong winter storm that impacted the Bay Area for several days in mid-December. Cyclogenesis occurred with a 979 mb low forming off the Northern California coast.

Read the full account →
Flood$5.0M damage

San Mateo, CA · Dec 31, 2005

Widespread flooding occurred in the county, due to small streams over-flowing and poor drainage problems. The bulk of the damage occurred in East Palo Alto, San Mateo, Daly City, Colma, Brisbane, San Bruno, South San Francisco and Pacifica.

Read the full account →
Flood$5.0M damage

San Mateo, CA · Jan 1, 2006

Flooding from late December 2005 continued into the beginning of 2006. Several small streams overflowed due to the heavy rains and poor drainage problems.

Read the full account →
Flash Flood

San Mateo, CA · Dec 11, 2014

An Atmospheric River event brought heavy rain and gusty winds with a strong winter storm that impacted the Bay Area for several days in mid-December. Cyclogenesis occurred with a 979 mb low forming off the Northern California coast.

Read the full account →