Flooding and Heavy Rain in California, January 20 to 22, 2024

Name: Flooding and Heavy Rain in California, January 20 to 22, 2024
Start: 2024-01-20T16:45
End: 2024-01-22T20:21
Location: California

January 20 to 22, 2024 · NWS MTR · 25 events in 8 counties and zones

A series of frontal systems with a weak subtropical tap led to widespread rainfall and nuisance flooding across the Bay Area and Central Coast.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it. 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: 1
Injuries: 0
Property damage: $250
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 25

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 MTR wrote it up.

A series of frontal systems with a weak subtropical tap led to widespread rainfall and nuisance flooding across the Bay Area and Central Coast.

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS San Francisco Bay Area, CA wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Jan 20, 3:50 PM PST, 55 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Jan 20, 3:50 PM PST, 55 minutes before

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The radar

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

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

24 flood, 1 heavy rain. Local standard time, as filed.

Heavy Rain, Marin

When: January 20, 4:45 PM PST
Where: Marin County, 0.62 mi SSW of Ignacio
Deaths: 0 direct, 1 indirect
Property damage: $10
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 38.061, -122.533

A man drove off a slick Highway 101 North in Novato just after 5 PM on January 20, and wrapped his car around the traffic light on the frontage road, north of Hamilton Parkway, outside Safeway. According to the California Highway Patrol, speed and wet roadway were factors. The Novato Fire Department extracted the man from the wreckage and paramedics tried, unsuccessfully, to perform CPR. The man was taken to a hospital, where he died of his injuries. The car was totaled and a fence and light pole were damaged. Report courtesy KTVU television (FOX San Francisco-Oakland).

Flood, Contra Costa

When: January 20, 8:31 PM PST
Where: Contra Costa County, 0.44 mi NNW of Bridgehead to 0.4 mi NNW of Bridgehead
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $10
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 38.005, -121.754

Flooding was reported at SB 160 over Main Street. Lane 1 was partially flooded with 2 inches of water.

Flood, Marin

When: January 21, 8:05 AM PST
Where: Marin County, 0.76 mi SSE of Green Brae to 0.79 mi SSE of Green Brae
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $10
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 37.939, -122.516

Standing water was reported on all four lanes of Northbound US Highway 101 at Lucky Drive.

Flood, Sonoma

When: January 21, 7:59 PM PST
Where: Sonoma County, 0.45 mi WNW of Forestville
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $10
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 38.472, -122.888

Westbound California Route 116 at Travis Road was reported flooded across all lanes.

Flood, Alameda

When: January 21, 9:23 PM PST
Where: Alameda County, 1.66 mi ENE of Mills College to 1.65 mi ENE of Mills College
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $10
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 37.782, -122.173

The offramp from Interstate 580 Westbound to Seminary Avenue was reported flooded.

Flood, Santa Cruz

When: January 21, 9:30 PM PST to January 22, 9:00 AM PST
Where: Santa Cruz County, 1.22 mi SW of Santa Cruz to 1.32 mi SW of Santa Cruz
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $10
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 36.966, -122.034

The Cypress Point Apartments at Felix Street in Santa Cruz flooded as a result of Neary Lagoon overflowing. Eight units were reported flooded, with five of those being occupied at the time. Report courtesy KION-TV Monterey-Salinas and KPIX-TV San Francisco.

Flood, San Francisco

When: January 21, 10:33 PM PST
Where: San Francisco County, 2.55 mi WSW of Ocean View to 2.56 mi WSW of Ocean View
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $10
Reported by: Department of Highways
Coordinates: 37.704, -122.472

Standing water was reported on Southbound Interstate 280 just south of the John Daly Tunnel.

Flood, Sonoma

When: January 21, 10:37 PM PST
Where: Sonoma County, 2.14 mi NNW of Trenton to 2.07 mi NNW of Trenton
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $10
Reported by: Department of Highways
Coordinates: 38.510, -122.860

A vehicle was stuck in floodwaters on Eastside Road north of Mark West Station Road.

Flood, Santa Cruz

When: January 21, 11:46 PM PST
Where: Santa Cruz County, 0.92 mi NW of Twin Lakes to 0.91 mi NW of Twin Lakes
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $10
Reported by: Department of Highways
Coordinates: 36.988, -121.993

Water was reported on all three lanes of Northbound California 1 near La Fonda Ave and under the Soquel Bridge.

Flood, Santa Cruz

When: January 22, 12:00 AM PST
Where: Santa Cruz County, 1.18 mi W of Santa Cruz to 1.19 mi W of Santa Cruz
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $10
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue
Coordinates: 36.978, -122.041

Street flooding was reported near High Street in Santa Cruz.

Flood, Santa Cruz

When: January 22, 12:02 AM PST
Where: Santa Cruz County, 1.08 mi ENE of Santa Cruz to 1.07 mi ENE of Santa Cruz
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $10
Reported by: Department of Highways
Coordinates: 36.988, -122.004

Standing water was reported across all lanes of Northbound California 1 at Morrissey Boulevard.

Flood, Sonoma

When: January 22, 12:08 AM PST
Where: Sonoma County, 1.43 mi SW of Bodega to 1.44 mi SW of Bodega
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $10
Reported by: Department of Highways
Coordinates: 38.336, -122.990

A mudslide was reported on California Highway 1 near Estero Lane.

Flood, Sonoma

When: January 22, 12:15 AM PST
Where: Sonoma County, 0.59 mi NW of Mark West to 0.53 mi NW of Mark West
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $10
Reported by: Department of Highways
Coordinates: 38.526, -122.788

The Shiloh Road offramp from UIS Highway 101 Northbound was closed due to standing water on the roadway.

Flood, Sonoma

When: January 22, 12:18 AM PST
Where: Sonoma County, 0.64 mi N of Windsor
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $10
Reported by: Department of Highways
Coordinates: 38.559, -122.820

The Arata Lane offramp from US Highway 101 Northbound was closed due to standing water on the roadway.

Flood, Santa Clara

When: January 22, 12:22 AM PST
Where: Santa Clara County, 1.14 mi WSW of San Jose
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $10
Reported by: Department of Highways
Coordinates: 37.323, -121.899

Standing water approximately 6 inches deep was reported on the offramp from Northbound Interstate 280 to Bird Avenue.

Flood, Santa Cruz

When: January 22, 2:21 AM PST
Where: Santa Cruz County, 0.21 mi WSW of Felton to 0.23 mi WSW of Felton
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $10
Reported by: Department of Highways
Coordinates: 37.049, -122.084

A landslide was reported near Felton Empire Road and Fetherston Way.

Flood, Alameda

When: January 22, 4:36 AM PST
Where: Alameda County, 1.1 mi W of Farwell to 1.16 mi W of Farwell
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $10
Reported by: Department of Highways
Coordinates: 37.599, -121.940

Large boulders were reported on the roadway on Westbound California Route 84 west of the train tracks.

Flood, Sonoma

When: January 22, 5:00 AM PST
Where: Sonoma County, Guerneville to 0.53 mi NW of Guerneville
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $10
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 38.500, -123.000

Localized flooding was reported in northern Guerneville.

Flood, Alameda

When: January 22, 5:55 AM PST
Where: Alameda County, 0.87 mi NE of Alvarado to 0.86 mi NE of Alvarado
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $10
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 37.607, -122.067

Flooding was reported on Northbound Interstate 880, blocking lanes 1 and 2.

Flood, Monterey

When: January 22, 8:31 AM PST
Where: Monterey County, 0.26 mi S of Prunedale to 0.29 mi S of Prunedale
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $10
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 36.776, -121.669

Roadway flooding was reported at US Highway 101 Southbound at Pesante Road. The drain was not flowing properly because of nearby construction.

Flood, Santa Cruz

When: January 22, 8:32 AM PST
Where: Santa Cruz County, 2.04 mi S of Swanton to 1.99 mi S of Swanton
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $10
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 37.041, -122.228

Roadway flooding was reported at CA Highway 1 Southbound at Scott Creek. Water was reported across both lanes and vehicles were hydroplaning in the area.

Flood, Alameda

When: January 22, 9:05 AM PST
Where: Alameda County, 1.83 mi SSE of Emeryville to 1.84 mi SSE of Emeryville
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $10
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 37.825, -122.270

Water was reported across all lanes of Eastbound Interstate 580.

Flood, Marin

When: January 22, 9:30 AM PST
Where: Marin County, 1.72 mi SSW of Alto
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $10
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 37.877, -122.512

The offramp from US Highway 101 North to California Route 1 North was closed due to flooding.

Flood, Sonoma

When: January 22, 5:15 PM PST
Where: Sonoma County, 0.34 mi N of Guerneville to 0.3 mi NNE of Guerneville
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $10
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 38.505, -123.000

Heavy rain caused flooding from Fife Creek at Sycamore Court Mobile Home Park. Three inches of water flooded a trailer in less than 20 minutes. Report Courtesy KGO television/ABC 7 San Francisco.

Flood, Santa Clara

When: January 22, 8:21 PM PST
Where: Santa Clara County, 1.2 mi S of Los Altos to 1.19 mi S of Los Altos
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $10
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 37.363, -122.119

Flooding in the right lane of the Interstate 280 Northbound/El Monte Road onramp.

The people who died

As the offices recorded each death: direct deaths were caused by the weather itself, indirect ones by something it set in motion.

Event	Date	Age	Sex	Where	Kind
Heavy Rain, Marin	2024-01-20	74	Male	Vehicle/Towed Trailer	Indirect

What these are

Heavy Rain: Rainfall totals unusual for the place and season that did not produce a flood.
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

Every storm in California in 2024 Every state in 2024 This day in weather history Warnings in California, January 2024

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: 1148850, 1148460, 1148461, 1148462, 1148463, 1148849, 1148464, 1148465, 1148466, 1148467, 1148468, 1148469, 1148470, 1148471, 1148472, 1148473, 1148474, 1148476, 1148477, 1148478, 1148479, 1148480, 1148475, 1148481, 1148482.