Debris Flows and Flooding in California, January 14 to 15, 2023

Name: Debris Flows and Flooding in California, January 14 to 15, 2023
Start: 2023-01-14T04:00
End: 2023-01-15T12:43
Location: California

January 14 to 15, 2023 · NWS HNX · 41 events in 12 counties and zones

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 19 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

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths: 0
Injuries: 0
Property damage: None recorded
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 41

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 HNX wrote it up.

Another strong low pressure system impacted central California as it moved eastward across northern California on January 14. The deeper moisture associated with this system arrived during the evening on January 13 and the precipitation continued across the area until the evening of January 14 when it finally tapered off. Strong upper jet dynamics associated with this system produced a period of widespread heavy precipitation across the area during the afternoon of January 14. Between 2 and 4 inches of liquid precipitation fell over the Sierra Nevada while 1.5 to 3 inches of rain fell over the adjacent foothills. Most of the San Joaquin Valley only picked up between a quarter of an inch and three quarters of an inch of rain due to rain shadowing effects. Several higher elevation SNOTEL stations picked up between 1.5 and 3 feet of new snowfall above 6000 feet with a few inches of snow falling as low as 4500 feet in the Sierra Nevada as cooler air pushed into the area during the evening of January 14. The main impacts from this system came from flooding which was a result of significant rainfall taking place over already saturated soil and continued runoff from previous storms.

The radar

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

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

19 heavy snow, 19 flood, 3 debris flow. Local standard time, as filed.

Heavy Snow, Yosemite Np Outside of the Valley

When: January 14, 4:00 AM PST to January 15, 4:00 AM PST
Where: Yosemite Np Outside of the Valley forecast zone
Reported by: SNOTEL
Coordinates: 37.609, -119.874 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The Lower Kibbie Ridge SNOTEL (6479 feet) picked up and estimated 22 inches of new snowfall.

Heavy Snow, Yosemite Np Outside of the Valley

When: January 14, 4:00 AM PST to January 15, 4:00 AM PST
Where: Yosemite Np Outside of the Valley forecast zone
Reported by: SNOTEL
Coordinates: 37.609, -119.874 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The Gin Flat SNOTEL (7201 feet) picked up and estimated 22 inches of new snowfall.

Heavy Snow, Yosemite Np Outside of the Valley

When: January 14, 4:00 AM PST to January 15, 4:00 AM PST
Where: Yosemite Np Outside of the Valley forecast zone
Reported by: SNOTEL
Coordinates: 37.609, -119.874 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The Paradise Meadow SNOTEL (7676 feet) picked up and estimated 34 inches of new snowfall.

Heavy Snow, Yosemite Np Outside of the Valley

When: January 14, 4:00 AM PST to January 15, 4:00 AM PST
Where: Yosemite Np Outside of the Valley forecast zone
Reported by: SNOTEL
Coordinates: 37.609, -119.874 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The White Wolf SNOTEL (7900 feet) picked up and estimated 23 inches of new snowfall.

Heavy Snow, Yosemite Np Outside of the Valley

When: January 14, 4:00 AM PST to January 15, 4:00 AM PST
Where: Yosemite Np Outside of the Valley forecast zone
Reported by: SNOTEL
Coordinates: 37.609, -119.874 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The Tenaya Lake SNOTEL (8150 feet) picked up and estimated 41 inches of new snowfall.

Heavy Snow, Yosemite Np Outside of the Valley

When: January 14, 4:00 AM PST to January 15, 4:00 AM PST
Where: Yosemite Np Outside of the Valley forecast zone
Reported by: SNOTEL
Coordinates: 37.609, -119.874 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The Ostrander Lake SNOTEL (8200 feet) picked up and estimated 21 inches of new snowfall.

Heavy Snow, Yosemite Np Outside of the Valley

When: January 14, 4:00 AM PST to January 15, 4:00 AM PST
Where: Yosemite Np Outside of the Valley forecast zone
Reported by: Park/Forest Service
Coordinates: 37.609, -119.874 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The Tuolumne Meadows cooperative station (8600 feet) measured 27 inches of new snowfall.

Heavy Snow, Upper San Joaquin River

When: January 14, 4:00 AM PST to January 15, 4:00 AM PST
Where: Upper San Joaquin River forecast zone
Reported by: SNOTEL
Coordinates: 36.988, -119.706 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The Graveyard Meadow SNOTEL (6897 feet) picked up and estimated 21 inches of new snowfall.

Heavy Snow, Upper San Joaquin River

When: January 14, 4:00 AM PST to January 15, 4:00 AM PST
Where: Upper San Joaquin River forecast zone
Reported by: SNOTEL
Coordinates: 36.988, -119.706 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The Poison Ridge SNOTEL (6988 feet) picked up and estimated 21 inches of new snowfall.

Heavy Snow, Upper San Joaquin River

When: January 14, 4:00 AM PST to January 15, 4:00 AM PST
Where: Upper San Joaquin River forecast zone
Reported by: SNOTEL
Coordinates: 36.988, -119.706 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The Chilkoot Meadow SNOTEL (7150 feet) picked up and estimated 22 inches of new snowfall.

Heavy Snow, Upper San Joaquin River

When: January 14, 4:00 AM PST to January 15, 4:00 AM PST
Where: Upper San Joaquin River forecast zone
Reported by: SNOTEL
Coordinates: 36.988, -119.706 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The Green Mountain SNOTEL (7900 feet) picked up and estimated 23 inches of new snowfall.

Heavy Snow, Upper San Joaquin River

When: January 14, 4:00 AM PST to January 15, 4:00 AM PST
Where: Upper San Joaquin River forecast zone
Reported by: SNOTEL
Coordinates: 36.988, -119.706 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The Devil's Postpile SNOTEL (8004 feet) picked up and estimated 29 inches of new snowfall.

Heavy Snow, Kaiser to Rodgers Ridge

When: January 14, 4:00 AM PST to January 15, 4:00 AM PST
Where: Kaiser to Rodgers Ridge forecast zone
Reported by: SNOTEL
Coordinates: 36.758, -119.649 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The Upper Burnt Corral SNOTEL (9700 feet) picked up and estimated 20 inches of new snowfall.

Heavy Snow, Kaiser to Rodgers Ridge

When: January 14, 4:00 AM PST to January 15, 4:00 AM PST
Where: Kaiser to Rodgers Ridge forecast zone
Reported by: SNOTEL
Coordinates: 36.758, -119.649 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The Blackcap Basin SNOTEL (10300 feet) picked up and estimated 21 inches of new snowfall.

Heavy Snow, Kings Canyon Np

When: January 14, 4:00 AM PST to January 15, 4:00 AM PST
Where: Kings Canyon Np forecast zone
Reported by: SNOTEL
Coordinates: 36.489, -119.224 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The Volcanic Knob SNOTEL (10300 feet) picked up and estimated 19 inches of new snowfall.

Heavy Snow, Sequoia Np

When: January 14, 4:00 AM PST to January 15, 4:00 AM PST
Where: Sequoia Np forecast zone
Reported by: SNOTEL
Coordinates: 36.220, -118.800 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The Crabtree Meadow SNOTEL (10700 feet) picked up and estimated 25 inches of new snowfall.

Heavy Snow, South End of the Upper Sierra

When: January 14, 4:00 AM PST to January 15, 4:00 AM PST
Where: South End of the Upper Sierra forecast zone
Reported by: SNOTEL
Coordinates: 35.782, -118.765 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The Beach Meadows SNOTEL (7650 feet) picked up and estimated 23 inches of new snowfall.

Heavy Snow, South End of the Upper Sierra

When: January 14, 4:00 AM PST to January 15, 4:00 AM PST
Where: South End of the Upper Sierra forecast zone
Reported by: SNOTEL
Coordinates: 35.782, -118.765 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The Tunnel Guard Station SNOTEL (9000 feet) picked up and estimated 22 inches of new snowfall.

Heavy Snow, South End of the Upper Sierra

When: January 14, 4:00 AM PST to January 15, 4:00 AM PST
Where: South End of the Upper Sierra forecast zone
Reported by: SNOTEL
Coordinates: 35.782, -118.765 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The Pascoes SNOTEL (9153 feet) picked up and estimated 20 inches of new snowfall.

Flood, Fresno

When: January 14, 10:18 AM PST to 12:18 PM PST
Where: Fresno County, 1.51 mi S of Herndon to 1.52 mi S of Herndon
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 36.808, -119.918

California Highway Patrol reported roadway flooding on Grantland Ave. at W. Shaw Ave. in Fresno.

Flood, Madera

When: January 14, 10:21 AM PST to 12:21 PM PST
Where: Madera County, 0.25 mi NW of Madera to 0.45 mi NW of Madera
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 36.973, -120.073

California Highway Patrol reported roadway flooding on northbound SR 99 and the W. Cleveland Ave. offramp.

Flood, Fresno

When: January 14, 10:28 AM PST to 12:28 PM PST
Where: Fresno County, 1.49 mi NNW of Clovis to 1.54 mi NNW of Clovis
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 36.840, -119.710

A trained spotter reported Dry Creek overflowing it's banks in Clovis.

Flood, Tulare

When: January 14, 10:35 AM PST to 12:35 PM PST
Where: Tulare County, 0.35 mi ENE of Strathmore to 0.24 mi ESE of Strathmore
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 36.152, -119.044

California Highway Patrol reported Rd. 236 was closed between Ave. 196 and Ave. 200 in Strathmore due to flooding.

Flood, Tulare

When: January 14, 10:42 AM PST to 12:42 PM PST
Where: Tulare County, 5.05 mi W of Delft Colony to 5.04 mi W of Delft Colony
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 36.510, -119.540

California Highway Patrol reported on Ave. 396 near the intersection with Rd 16. in Kingsburg.

Flood, Tulare

When: January 14, 10:43 AM PST to 12:43 PM PST
Where: Tulare County, 2.01 mi NNE of Trocha to 1.94 mi NNE of Trocha
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 35.848, -119.160

California Highway Patrol reported Rd. 184 was closed between Ave. 24 to Ave. 32 due to flooding.

Flood, Tulare

When: January 14, 10:43 AM PST to 12:43 PM PST
Where: Tulare County, 1.41 mi S of Springville to 1.45 mi S of Springville
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 36.110, -118.820

California Highway Patrol reported Globe Dr. over the Tulare River Bridge in Springville was closed due to flooding.

Flood, Merced

When: January 14, 12:38 PM PST to 2:38 PM PST
Where: Merced County, 2.31 mi SW of Lingard to 2.22 mi SW of Lingard
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 37.231, -120.435

California Highway Patrol reported roadway flooding on Healy Rd. at McMaster Rd.

Flood, Kern

When: January 14, 12:54 PM PST to 2:54 PM PST
Where: Kern County, 0.57 mi NE of Kernville to 0.52 mi NE of Kernville
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 35.756, -118.423

California Highway Patrol reported a rockslide with golfball to football sized boulders near Kernville Rd. and Kern River Dr.

Flood, Fresno

When: January 14, 12:56 PM PST to 2:56 PM PST
Where: Fresno County, 1.11 mi NE of Melvin to 1.05 mi NE of Melvin
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 36.830, -119.654

California Highway Patrol reported a tree washed up on the roadway on the northbound lane of Locan Ln. near Paul Ave.

Flood, Madera

When: January 14, 1:07 PM PST to 3:07 PM PST
Where: Madera County, 2.58 mi NE of Madera Muni Arpt to 2.61 mi NE of Madera Muni Arpt
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 37.010, -120.093

California Highway Patrol reported flooding on Rd. 25 near Ave. 18 in Madera.

Flood, Tulare

When: January 14, 1:38 PM PST to 3:38 PM PST
Where: Tulare County, 1.49 mi NNE of Octol to 1.4 mi NNE of Octol
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 36.140, -119.260

California Highway Patrol reported a tree washed up on the roadway at Rd. 140 near Ave. 192.

Debris Flow, Kern

When: January 14, 1:50 PM PST to 3:50 PM PST
Where: Kern County, 1.92 mi N of Cable to 1.81 mi N of Cable
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 35.178, -118.501

California Highway Patrol reported a 2000 pound boulder on Woodford Tehachapi Rd.

Flood, Kern

When: January 14, 2:21 PM PST to 4:21 PM PST
Where: Kern County, 1.79 mi E of Kern Jct to 2.16 mi E of Kern Jct
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 35.353, -118.948

California Highway Patrol reported standing water on westbound SR 58 near Oswell St.

Flood, Madera

When: January 14, 2:33 PM PST to 4:33 PM PST
Where: Madera County, 5.66 mi NE of Oneals to 5.74 mi NE of Oneals
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 37.185, -119.624

California Highway Patrol reported a tree on the roadway on Rd. 200 west of Mountain View Peak Rd.

Flood, Madera

When: January 14, 3:11 PM PST to 5:11 PM PST
Where: Madera County, 4.34 mi SSE of Coarsegold to 4.38 mi SSE of Coarsegold
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 37.209, -119.679

California Highway Patrol reported flooding on Seminole Ave. near Delaware Rd. caused the roadway to collapse.

Debris Flow, Merced

When: January 14, 3:38 PM PST to 5:38 PM PST
Where: Merced County, 12.27 mi W of Santa Nella to 12.22 mi W of Santa Nella
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 37.067, -121.222

California Highway Patrol reported Vehicle sized boulders in the roadway on SR 152 at Dinosaur Point.

Debris Flow, Kern

When: January 14, 3:53 PM PST to 5:53 PM PST
Where: Kern County, 5.41 mi SE of Blackwells Corner to 1.76 mi SSE of Blackwells Corner
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 35.566, -119.800

California Highway Patrol reported the roadway washed out with several vehicles stuck on SR 33 between Brown Material Rd. and SR 46.

Flood, Merced

When: January 14, 8:21 PM PST to 10:21 PM PST
Where: Merced County, 6.43 mi ENE of (Mer)castle Afb to 6.34 mi SE of Hopeton
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 37.398, -120.458

California Highway Patrol reported the closure of Snelling Rd. north of La Paloma Rd. due to flooding.

Flood, Fresno

When: January 15, 12:24 AM PST to 2:24 AM PST
Where: Fresno County, 1.68 mi NNE of Humphreys Station to 1.67 mi SSW of Tollhouse
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 36.990, -119.413

California Highway Patrol reported roadway flooding at the intersection of Tollhouse Rd. Burrough Valley Rd.

Flood, Kern

When: January 15, 2:28 AM PST to 4:28 AM PST
Where: Kern County, 1.32 mi WNW of Cantil to 1.43 mi WNW of Cantil
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 35.310, -117.990

California Highway Patrol reported roadway flooding along SR 14 near Redrock-Randsburg Rd.

Flood, Mariposa

When: January 15, 10:43 AM PST to 12:43 PM PST
Where: Mariposa County, 1.09 mi NE of Briceburg to 0.44 mi NE of Briceburg
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 37.613, -119.959

California Highway Patrol reported a large boulder washed up onto the roadway on SR 140 in Briceburg.

What these are

Heavy Snow: Snowfall reaching the local warning threshold without the other hazards of a winter storm.
Flood: Flooding that develops more slowly than a flash flood: rivers leaving their banks, or water standing over land for an extended time.
Debris Flow: A fast-moving slurry of mud, rock and debris, usually on a slope soaked by heavy rain or stripped by a fire.

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

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in California in 2023 Every state in 2023 This day in weather history Warnings in California, January 2023

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 2026-10-01. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 1065768, 1065769, 1065770, 1065771, 1065772, 1065773, 1065774, 1065775, 1065776, 1065777, 1065778, 1065779, 1065780, 1065781, 1065782, 1065784, 1065785, 1065786, 1065787, 1065746, 1065747, 1065748, 1065749, 1065750, 1065751, 1065752, 1065753, 1065754, 1065755, 1065756, 1065757, 1065765, 1065758, 1065759, 1065760, 1065766, 1065767, 1065761, 1065762, 1065763, and more.