California, 1997

Flooding in California, September 25, 1997

September 25, 1997 · NWS SGX · 4 events in 4 counties and zones

Rain bands associated with the western fringes of Tropical Storm Nora dropped unseasonable rains throughout much of Southern California. For many areas it was the first significant rain since April.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 4 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.

  • Tornadoes
  • Tropical storms and surge
  • Floods
  • Wind
  • Hail
  • Winter weather
  • Heat and drought
  • Cold
  • Fire, smoke and dust
  • Marine and coastal
  • Other

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The toll

Deaths
0
Injuries
0
Property damage
None recorded
Crop damage
None recorded
Events
4

Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.

What happened

The episode as NWS SGX wrote it up.

Rain bands associated with the western fringes of Tropical Storm Nora dropped unseasonable rains throughout much of Southern California. For many areas it was the first significant rain since April. Desert areas picked up from 1.5 to 3.0 inches, mountains from 2 to 4 , coastal valleys between 1 and 2, and coasts, under one inch. Minor urban flooding was reported in many areas, with low-lying roads and intersections under water. Several highways in the Coachella and Borrego Valleys had to be closed due to high water. Hundreds of automobile accidents snarled traffic throughout coastal areas of San Diego and Orange Counties. The heaviest amount of rain reported was 4.7 inches from Mount Laguna, in San Diego County.

The radar

The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

4 flood. Local standard time, as filed.

Flood, San Diego

When
September 25, 10:00 AM PST to 6:00 PM PST
Where
San Diego County, Borrego Spgs
Coordinates
33.028, -116.770 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Flood, Riverside

When
September 25, 11:00 AM PST to 6:00 PM PST
Where
Riverside County, Palm Spgs
Coordinates
33.744, -115.994 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Flood, Orange

When
September 25, 12:00 PM PST to 6:00 PM PST
Where
Orange County, 2 mi S of Santa Ana
Coordinates
33.677, -117.776 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Flood, San Bernardino

When
September 25, 2:00 PM PST to 8:00 PM PST
Where
San Bernardino County, Phelan
Coordinates
34.841, -116.178 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

What these are

Flood
Flooding that develops more slowly than a flash flood: rivers leaving their banks, or water standing over land for an extended time.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

More

Every storm in California in 1997Every state in 1997This day in weather historyWarnings in California, September 1997

Sources

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 5614108, 5614109, 5614111, 5614110.