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Flood — San Mateo, CA

Jan 26, 2021

A plume of moisture from the tropical Pacific brought an Atmospheric River to the Bay Area January 26th-29th. This system generated heavy rain rates causing flooding and debris flows over area burn scars as well as 15 to 20 inches of rain in the Santa Lucia Mountains. Mudflows near the River Fire burn scar in Monterey County caused damage to homes, covered roadways, and trapped animals at local ranches. Debris flows near the Dolan Fire burn scar caused an entire section of Highway 1 near Rat Cre

Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database (event 932336). 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.

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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.

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