California Flooding

Losses, 2024 dollars

$1.9 billion

Losses at the time

$1.5 billion

Deaths

5

The losses and deaths are NCEI’s, counting everything the disaster did. The episodes below are only what the Weather Service filed in its Storm Events record, which counts damage differently and often not at all, so the two never add up and are shown apart.

• Flash Flood in Washington, February 6, 2017$2,000 · 1 eventDuring the evening of February 6th an ice jam on the Grande Ronde River near Troy gave way and sent a flood wave down the Grande Ronde River.
• Flash Flooding and Debris Flows in California, February 6 to 8, 201760 kt wind · 54 eventsAn atmospheric river swept through the Bay Area beginning on the night of Feb 6. This system produced widespread roadway flooding, debris flows, and strong winds.
• Flash Flood and Hail in Arkansas, February 7, 2017$1,000 · 1 in hail · 9 eventsSevere thunderstorms on Feb. 7, 2017 brought damaging winds, large hail and heavy rains to parts of central and north Arkansas.
• Flooding in Utah, February 7 to 27, 2017$9.3 million · 4 eventsHeavy rainfall and significant snowmelt through the month of February combined to produce flooding in multiple locations across far northern Utah.
• Flooding and Heavy Snow in California, February 7 to 14, 2017$11 million · 71 kt wind · 11 eventsTwo significant waves of precipitation associated with an atmospheric river brought heavy rain and higher elevation (mainly above 6500 feet) snowfall to northeast California.
• Flood in Ohio, February 7, 2017$10,000 · 1 eventRain overspread the area following a warm frontal passage on the morning of Feb 7th. Rainfall amounts approached an inch for areas along the northern lakeshore, and a secondary swath of an inch in the Muskingum basin.
• Flood in California, February 7 to 12, 20171 eventHeavy rain combined with snow melt caused flooding along the Pit River in northeast California.
• Flash Flood and Flooding in Nevada, February 7 to 14, 2017$6.5 million · 3 eventsRain on a much above normal snow pack combined with frozen ground caused extensive flooding across northern Nevada, especially across Elko county.
• Heavy Rain in American Samoa, February 8, 20171 eventHeavy rainfall and strong gusty winds associated with a surface trough over the Samoan Islands have triggered flash flooding in small streams, rapid runoff along valleys and small streams, and landslides near Matafao Elementary in Fagaalu.
• Flooding in Idaho, February 8 to 10, 2017$6.8 million · 6 eventsStrong Southwesterly flow behind a warm front spread heavy rain across most of the intermountain west. Flooding occurred in most of South Central Idaho.
• Heavy Rain in Washington, February 9, 2017$33 million · 1 eventHeavy rainfall in the Puget Sound area lead to high storm runoff.
• Heavy Rain in Montana, February 9, 20173 eventsA warm and moist southwest flow pattern set up over the Northern Rockies during the second week of February. Significant rain and warming temperatures combined with the abundant low elevation snow to cause widespread ponding and flooding in fields and on roadways.
• Flooding in Washington, February 9 to 10, 20172 eventsA series of fronts brought moderate to heavy rainfall across Southwest Washington, resulting in flooding on several rivers across the area.
• Flash Flooding and Debris Flows in California, February 9 to 11, 2017$5,000 · 15 eventsA low pressure system spread moisture into Merced County and into Yosemite Park on on the evening of February 9.
• Coastal Flood in Oregon, February 9, 20171 eventHigh river flows combined with high tide to flood some areas near the southern Oregon coast.
• Flood in California, February 9 to 10, 20171 eventHeavy rain combined with snow melt caused flooding along the Scott River in northern California.
• Flash Flooding and Debris Flows in California, February 9, 201750 kt wind · 31 eventsA cold front passed over the area Thursday Feb 9. There were strong winds ahead of the front and heavy rains associated with the frontal passage that produced roadway flooding and debris flows.
• Flood in California, February 9 to 11, 20171 eventHeavy rain combined with snow melt caused flooding along the Klamath River in northern California.
• Flood in Oregon, February 9 to 12, 20171 eventHeavy rain combined with snow melt caused flooding along the Coquille River in southwest Oregon.
• Flood in Oregon, February 9 to 10, 20171 eventHeavy rain combined with snow melt caused flooding along the Rogue River in southwest Oregon.
• Flood in Oregon, February 9 to 10, 20171 eventHeavy rain combined with snow melt caused flooding along the South Fork of the Coquille River in southwest Oregon.
• Flood in Oregon, February 9 to 11, 20171 eventHeavy rain combined with snow melt caused flooding along the Sprague River in south central Oregon.
• Flooding in Wyoming, February 9 to 11, 2017$120,000 · 4 eventsDuring the night of February 9th, strong Chinook winds developed over the eastern Slope of the Wind River Mountains. Temperatures climbed into the 50s as a result.
• Flood in California, February 10, 20171 eventHeavy rain combined with snow melt led to flooding in Siskiyou county in northern California.
• Flooding in Idaho, February 10 to 14, 2017$15,000 · 3 eventsOn the early morning of February 10th an ice jam developed on the St. Joe River between St. Maries and Calder. Water backed up behind the ice jam causing minor flooding upstream in the town of Calder, but also flooded the St.
• Flood in Oregon, February 10, 20171 eventFlows on the John Day river reached flood levels downstream of Monument due to the breaking up of an ice jam.
• Flood in Idaho, February 10, 2017$1.0 million · 1 eventAn ice jam on the Weiser River just south of Weiser caused flooding on U.S. Highway 95.
• Flood in Oregon, February 10, 20171 eventIce Jams on the Malheur River caused flooding in areas along U.S. Highway 20.
• Flood in Washington, February 10 to 11, 20171 eventIce jam on the north fork of the Ahtanum Creek caused flooding in central Yakima county.
• Flooding in Wyoming, February 10 to 23, 2017$100,000 · 2 eventsA rapid warm up following several weeks of below normal temperatures and above average snowfall led to flooding along the Big Horn River in Washakie and Big Horn Counties. The result was rapidly rising rivers due to ice jams from rivers breaking up as well as rapid snow melt.
• Flood in Montana, February 11 to 12, 20171 eventVery cold temperatures from the middle of December through early February resulted in a solid ice cover on the Musselshell River. Much above normal temperatures during the first week of February resulted in this ice breaking apart.
• Flash Flooding and Heavy Rain in Hawaii, February 10 to 12, 20173 injured · 6 eventsA front moving through the state produced heavy rain and thunderstorms, flash flooding, and gusty winds. Downed power lines and trees, and ponding on roadways were almost commonplace occurrences with the system. However, there were no reports of serious injuries.
• Flooding in California, February 11 to 13, 2017$549 million · 2 eventsAdditional heavy rain brought widespread flooding of small streams and rivers, with some flooding of main stem rivers. Wet conditions from previous storms brought saturated ground and elevated reservoirs, with flood control releases.
• Flash Flood in California, February 11, 20171 eventHeavy showers and isolated thunderstorms generated heavy rain across the burn scar of the Sand Fire. Mud and debris flows were reported across Sand Canyon and Iron Canyon Roads.
• Flood in Nebraska, February 14 to 19, 20171 eventWarm temperatures during the first week of February caused intact ice cover on Ponca Creek to move downstream. The ice became stuck at several places upstream and downstream of Highway 12.
• Heavy Rain in California, February 15 to 16, 2017$15 million · 5 eventsHeavy rain spread over Northwest California from February 15th into the 16th causing more landslides and minor flooding across the region.
• Flooding in Washington, February 16 to 24, 2017$1.2 million · 4 eventsDuring the afternoon of February 15th and into the morning of February 16th an atmospheric river of moisture produced widespread heavy rain across eastern Washington.
• Flood in Oregon, February 16 to 17, 20171 eventHeavy precipitation combined with snow melt caused the Rogue River near Agness to rise above flood stage again.
• Flash Flood and Winter Storm in California, February 17 to 22, 20172 deaths · $15 million · 173 kt wind · 22 eventsStorms brought additional rain and widespread flooding and debris flows, as well as mountain snow.
• Flash Flooding and Winter Storm in California, February 17 to 18, 201766 kt wind · 14 eventsA powerful winter storm moved across Southwestern California, bringing heavy rain and snow, strong winds and flash flooding to the area. Rainfall amounts ranged from 2 to 6 inches across coastal areas with up to around 10 inches in the local mountains.
• Debris Flow and High Wind in California, February 17, 201755 kt wind · 18 eventsDeepen low pressure approaching the coast caused gale to strong gale force wind gusts through the populated areas. Coastal mountains gusted to hurricane force.
• Flash Flood and Flooding in California, February 17 to 20, 201797 kt wind · 27 eventsA series of strong low pressure systems accompanied with tropical moisture influxes brought strong winds, heavy rainfall, flooding, debris flows, funnel cloud reports, and high elevation snows to the central California region.
• Flash Flooding and Debris Flow in California, February 17 to 19, 20172 deaths · 2 injured · $14 million · 73 kt wind · 18 eventsA strong trough and associated Pacific cold front swept into Southern California from the west, bringing strong winds, heavy snow and rain. The storm was noteworthy for the strong prefrontal southerly winds that produced significant tree damage over the coast and valleys.
• Heavy Rain in Texas, February 17, 20172 eventsTraining showers and thunderstorms associated with a southern plains storm system generated some heavy rainfall and a funnel cloud.
• Flash Flood and Heavy Snow in Nevada, February 17 to 18, 2017$1,000 · 2 eventsA strong low pressure system brought heavy snow to the mountains of southern Nevada, and isolated heavy rain to the lower elevations.
• Flash Flood and Hail in Texas, February 19, 20170.88 in hail · 3 eventsA strong upper low over the Southern Rockies with a trailing upper trough enabled the development of a few severe storms across West Central Texas. The airmass over the region was warm and moist in the low levels.
• Heavy Rain in Texas, February 19, 20171 eventA line of thunderstorms developed over the Mexican plateau and pushed across Zapata County. These storms produced torrential rainfall, especially over northwest Zapata County, where a few cars became stranded on US Highway 83.
• Flash Flooding and Hail in Texas, February 19 to 20, 2017$202,000 · 78 kt wind · 30 eventsA large area of showers and thunderstorms associated with an upper level low pressure system rolled across North and Central Texas late Sunday into early Monday.
• Flash Flooding and Debris Flows in California, February 20 to 24, 201767 kt wind · 146 eventsPotent AR brought copious amounts of rain to the region causing widespread flooding, debris flow, accidents, and over topping of reservoir spillways.
• Flooding in Montana, February 20 to 24, 20172 eventsAn early season thaw caused snowpack to melt and ice to break up, which allowed water to rise along main stem waterways. Some sections of rivers prone to developing ice jams, did so during this period.
• Flooding in Wisconsin, February 21 to 27, 20175 eventsRainfall amounts of a half to one inch on February 20th combined with above normal temperatures, melted much of the remaining snow cover across western Wisconsin. This led to some minor river flooding along portions of the Black, Yellow and Wisconsin Rivers.
• Flood in Wisconsin, February 21 to 23, 2017$50,000 · 1 eventMuch warmer than normal temperatures from February 17th to the 22nd caused rapid snow melt and ice jams on rivers, especially across central Wisconsin. High temperatures there were in the 50s to lower 60s each day, while overnight lows remained near or above freezing.
• Flooding in South Dakota, February 21 to 28, 20172 eventsSnow melt runoff caused the James River near Columbia to go above the flood stage of 13 feet on the 21st. The river reached a high point of 15.74 feet on February 24th. The river continued to flood into March. Lowland flooding was the main impact.
• Flooding in Washington, February 21, 2017$3.0 million · 3 eventsRapid melting of low elevation snow pack with heavy rain cause flooding across portions of southeast Washington.
• Flood in Wyoming, February 21 to 22, 20171 death · $10,000 · 1 eventOn February 21st temperatures warmed into the 50s across much of the Wind River Basin, this, combined with rain led to rapid melting of snow and led to flooding of ditches along roads as well as sheet flooding across portions of Fremont County north of Riverton.
• Heavy Rain in Hawaii, February 21, 20171 eventAn area of cold temperatures over the isles helped generate afternoon and early evening showers and thunderstorms over the leeward mountain slopes and coastal sections on the Big Island of Hawaii.
• Flood in Iowa, February 22 to 26, 2017$10,000 · 1 eventRainfall and snowmelt runoff led to minor flooding at the Cedar River at Cedar Falls late in the month.
• Flood in Oregon, February 22 to 24, 20171 eventHeavy rains combined with snow melt to bring another round of flooding to the Coquille River near Coquille.
• Flood in California, February 22 to 23, 20171 eventHeavy rain combined with snow melt to bring floods to the Pit River in northeast California.

Every billion-dollar disasterEvery storm of 2017Tornadoes in 2017

NOAA NCEI, U.S. Billion-Dollar Weather and Climate Disasters (2025), https://doi.org/10.25921/stkw-7w73, and the Storm Events Database for the episodes.