Flooding and High Wind in California, November 19 to 23, 2024

Name: Flooding and High Wind in California, November 19 to 23, 2024
Start: 2024-11-19T16:00
End: 2024-11-23T11:30
Location: California

November 19 to 23, 2024 · NWS MTR · 32 events in 15 counties and zones

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 6 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: 1
Injuries: 1
Property damage: $150
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 32

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.

The first atmospheric river of the winter storm season created flooding across the North Bay between November 20 and 23. The atmospheric river was accompanied by a very rapidly intensifying cyclone that deepened by 66 millibars within 24 hours, easily meeting the criteria for bomb cyclogenesis. The greatest impacts were concentrated across the North Bay as the river stalled over the region. The North Bay valleys received nearly a foot of rain in three days and the mountains received as much as 22.57 inches (from the Venado gauge).

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 Nov 19, 1:11 PM PST, 2 hours 49 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Nov 19, 1:11 PM PST, 2 hours 49 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

18 flood, 8 heavy rain, 5 high wind, 1 strong wind. Local standard time, as filed.

Heavy Rain, Sonoma

When: November 19, 4:00 PM PST to November 22, 4:00 PM PST
Where: Sonoma County, 0.88 mi NW of Santa Rosa
Property damage: $10
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 38.460, -122.710

A total of 12.47 of rain was observed at the Santa Rosa COOP station from November 19 at 4 PM to November 22 at 4 PM. This marks the wettest three-day period on record for the station.

Flood, Sonoma

When: November 20, 11:56 AM PST to 3:16 PM PST
Where: Sonoma County, 1.28 mi WSW of Sonoma County Arpt to 1.23 mi W of (Sts)santa Rosa Arpt
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $10
Reported by: County Official
Coordinates: 38.510, -122.840

Mark West Station Road was closed at Starr Road, and at Trenton Healdsburg Road, due to flooding.

Flood, Marin

When: November 21, 4:58 AM PST
Where: Marin County, 0.67 mi SSE of Green Brae to 0.68 mi SSE of Green Brae
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 37.941, -122.516

Roadway flooding was reported on US Highway 101 near Larkspur.

Flood, Sonoma

When: November 21, 7:52 AM PST
Where: Sonoma County, 1.17 mi SSW of (Sts)santa Rosa Arpt to 1.26 mi SSW of (Sts)santa Rosa Arpt
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $10
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 38.484, -122.827

A driver escaped rising flood waters on River and Slusser Roads in Santa Rosa. Sonoma County Fire District spokeswoman Karen Hancock told KTVU (FOX Oakland/San Francisco) that the driver decided to drive through the deep water at River and Slusser Roads despite flood warnings not to do so.

Flood, Sonoma

When: November 21, 1:50 PM PST
Where: Sonoma County, 0.21 mi S of Fulton to 0.29 mi SE of Fulton
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $10
Reported by: Social Media
Coordinates: 38.497, -122.771

Social media user on X (formerly Twitter) reported flooding at their home in Fulton.

Strong Wind, North Bay Interior Valleys

When: November 21, 4:30 PM PST
Where: North Bay Interior Valleys forecast zone
Measured: 17 kt (20 mph) estimated gust
Injuries: 1 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $10
Reported by: Newspaper
Coordinates: 38.362, -122.667 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

One person was injured when a tree fell on their home on Cozey Court in Forestville. The Sonoma County Fire District responded to the home after the report at 4:30 PM.

High Wind, North Bay Interior Mountains

When: November 22, 12:50 AM PDT
Where: North Bay Interior Mountains forecast zone
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 38.516, -122.626 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The Cobb Ridge West PG&E station reported a 65 mph gust.

Heavy Rain, Santa Clara

When: November 22, 12:00 AM PST to 11:59 PM PST
Where: Santa Clara County, 0.5 mi S of (Sjc)san Jose Intl A
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 37.363, -121.929

San Jose Airport recorded a new daily record rainfall of 0.72 inches for November 22.

Heavy Rain, Marin

When: November 22, 12:00 AM PST to 11:59 PM PST
Where: Marin County, 1.35 mi N of Santa Venetia
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 37.999, -122.533

The San Rafael COOP station recorded a new daily record rainfall of 3.57 inches for November 22.

Heavy Rain, San Francisco

When: November 22, 12:00 AM PST to 11:59 PM PST
Where: San Francisco County, 1.87 mi NE of San Francisco
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 37.770, -122.427

The downtown San Francisco COOP station recorded a new daily record rainfall of 2.97 inches for November 22.

Heavy Rain, San Mateo

When: November 22, 12:00 AM PST to 11:59 PM PST
Where: San Mateo County, (Sfo)sfo Intl Arpt
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 37.620, -122.380

San Francisco International Airport recorded a new daily record rainfall of 2.55 inches for November 22.

Heavy Rain, Alameda

When: November 22, 12:00 AM PST to 11:59 PM PST
Where: Alameda County, 1.98 mi N of Alameda
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 37.798, -122.263

The Oakland Museum COOP station recorded a new daily record rainfall of 2.46 inches for November 22.

Heavy Rain, Alameda

When: November 22, 12:00 AM PST to 11:59 PM PST
Where: Alameda County, 1.09 mi E of Livermore
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 37.680, -121.750

The Livermore COOP station recorded a new daily record rainfall of 0.67 inches for November 22.

Heavy Rain, Monterey

When: November 22, 12:00 AM PST to 11:59 PM PST
Where: Monterey County, (Sns)salinas Arpt
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 36.670, -121.600

Salinas Airport recorded a new daily record rainfall of 0.61 inches for November 22.

High Wind, Marin Coastal Range

When: November 22, 8:00 AM PDT
Where: Marin Coastal Range forecast zone
Measured: 64 kt (74 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 38.055, -122.749 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The Road to Ranches PG&E station reported a 74 mph gust.

Flood, Alameda

When: November 22, 12:01 PM PST
Where: Alameda County, 2.18 mi NNW of Alameda to 2.31 mi NNW of Alameda
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $10
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 37.801, -122.280

Roadway flooding reported on I-880 near Market Street offramp.

High Wind, San Francisco Peninsula Coast

When: November 22, 12:40 PM PST
Where: San Francisco Peninsula Coast forecast zone
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 37.229, -122.183 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The North Peak Access Road PG&E station reported a 69 mph gust.

High Wind, East Bay Hills

When: November 22, 1:30 PM PST
Where: East Bay Hills forecast zone
Measured: 59 kt (68 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 37.787, -121.934 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A COOP station on the North peak of Mount Diablo (AW341) reported a 68 mph gust.

Flood, Alameda

When: November 22, 2:04 PM PST to 2:34 PM PST
Where: Alameda County, 1.04 mi WSW of Emeryville to 1.02 mi WSW of Emeryville
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $10
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 37.845, -122.298

Roadway flooding on 580 W and Ashby Avenue offramp. Water is up to door panel on vehicles.

Flood, San Francisco

When: November 22, 2:12 PM PST
Where: San Francisco County, 2.82 mi ENE of San Francisco
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 37.769, -122.404

Photos and videos on X (formerly Twitter) showed flooding at the intersection of Alameda and henry Adams Streets. A car was stuck in the water and video showed water extending up the first step in a flight of stairs.

Flood, Alameda

When: November 22, 2:39 PM PST
Where: Alameda County, 1.95 mi SSE of Emeryville to 1.94 mi W of Piedmont
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $10
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 37.824, -122.266

Water blocking lanes 1-2 of WB 580 just east of SR24.

Flood, Alameda

When: November 22, 4:40 PM PST
Where: Alameda County, 0.59 mi W of Emeryville to 0.62 mi W of Emeryville
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $10
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 37.851, -122.291

Roadway flooding reported at 7th and Ashby Avenue. Caused traffic issues and collisions per Emergency Manager.

Flood, Alameda

When: November 22, 4:58 PM PST
Where: Alameda County, 1.5 mi S of Emeryville to 1.66 mi S of Emeryville
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $10
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 37.828, -122.282

Roadway flooding reported at W Macarthur Boulevard onramp to WB 580. Multiple cars are stuck in water on the onramp.

Flood, Napa

When: November 22, 5:01 PM PST
Where: Napa County, 2.82 mi N of Woodleaf to 2.81 mi N of Woodleaf
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $10
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 38.641, -122.597

Landslide reported as completely blocking the southbound lanes of State Route 29 and Old Lawley Toll Road. About 6 to 8 feet of debris was reported on right hand side.

Flood, Contra Costa

When: November 22, 6:53 PM PST
Where: Contra Costa County, 1.59 mi SSW of El Cerrito to 1.56 mi SSW of El Cerrito
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $10
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 37.900, -122.314

Flooding was blocking lanes on westbound Interstate 580 at Central Avenue.

High Wind, East Bay Hills

When: November 22, 7:50 PM PST
Where: East Bay Hills forecast zone
Measured: 63 kt (72 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 37.787, -121.934 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The Mines Tower PGE station reported a 73 mph gust.

Flood, San Francisco

When: November 22, 8:33 PM PST
Where: San Francisco County, 2.43 mi NE of Ocean View
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 37.743, -122.397

A vehicle drove through water on the offramp from Interstate 280 Northbound to Cesar Chavez St and stopped.

Flood, Alameda

When: November 22, 10:51 PM PST
Where: Alameda County, 1.12 mi NNE of Mills College to 1.16 mi NNE of Mills College
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $10
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 37.785, -122.192

Vehicle stuck in water blocking the onramp from MacArthur Blvd to EB I 580.

Flood, Santa Cruz

When: November 22, 11:21 PM PST
Where: Santa Cruz County, 1.02 mi SSE of Mesa Vlg to 1.03 mi SSE of Mesa Vlg
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 36.956, -121.765

Roadway flooding was reported at the junction of Green Valley Road and Paulsen Road.

Flood, Contra Costa

When: November 23, 10:26 AM PST
Where: Contra Costa County, 0.6 mi WNW of Orinda to 0.62 mi W of Orinda
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $10
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 37.883, -122.180

Water was reported on all lanes of Westbound State Highway 24 at Camino Pablo.

Flood, Alameda

When: November 23, 10:47 AM PST
Where: Alameda County, 1.36 mi W of Piedmont to 1.37 mi W of Piedmont
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $10
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 37.820, -122.255

Lanes 3 and 4 of eastbound Interstate 580 flooded.

Flood, Sonoma

When: November 23, 11:30 AM PST
Where: Sonoma County, 0.48 mi ESE of Guerneville to 0.48 mi E of Guerneville
Cause: Heavy Rain
Deaths: 1 direct, 0 indirect
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 38.499, -122.991

A 911 caller reported to Sonoma County dispatch that they had seen a car go into floodwaters near Mays Canyon Road and Highway 116. Rescue crews arrived and found the vehicle, and the driver was found dead.

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
Flood, Sonoma	2024-11-23			Vehicle/Towed Trailer	Direct

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.
Strong Wind: Non-thunderstorm winds below high wind criteria that nonetheless caused damage or casualties.
High Wind: Sustained non-thunderstorm winds of 40 mph or more for an hour, or gusts of 58 mph or more.

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, November 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: 1220535, 1220576, 1220591, 1220578, 1220522, 1220520, 1223208, 1220536, 1220537, 1220539, 1220540, 1220541, 1220542, 1220543, 1220587, 1220567, 1223203, 1220588, 1220568, 1220598, 1220569, 1220570, 1220571, 1220597, 1220584, 1220589, 1220595, 1220573, 1222724, 1220585, 1220574, 1220519.