Debris Flow in California

Events

767

Deaths

53

Injuries

188

Damage

$903 million

• Winter Storm and Debris Flows in California, January 9, 201821 deaths · 168 injured · $617 million · 6 eventsA powerful winter storm impacted Southwestern California in early January. This storm generated heavy rainfall with totals ranging from 1-4 inches across the coasts and valleys with up to 7 inches over some foothill and mountain areas.
• Flash Flooding and Debris Flow in California, December 25, 200316 deaths · 15 injured · $7.3 million · 4 eventsSteady light to moderate rain began falling over the burned areas of the San Bernardino Mountains on 0600 PST 12/24/03. Approximately 24 hours later, mud, rock, and debris flows were being reported along highways and roads leading into the mountain resort communities.
• Flash Flooding and Winter Storm in California, January 7 to 11, 200511 deaths · $210 million · 58 kt wind · 13 eventsA powerful Pacific storm brought heavy rain, snow, flash flooding, high winds and landslides to Central and Southern California. During the 5 day event, rainfall totals ranged from 3 to 10 inches over coastal areas with up to 32 inches in the mountains.
• Flash Flooding and Debris Flow in California, January 18 to 24, 20173 deaths · 19 injured · $2.8 million · 86 kt wind · 44 eventsAfter a wet start to the month, a series of 3 storms traversed the region between the 19th and 24th of January. The storms produced flooding rains, extreme mountain snowfall, and strong winds from the coast to the deserts.
• Debris Flows and Strong Wind in California, March 13 to 16, 20123 deaths · 12 injured · $997,000 · 21 eventsA series of storm systems from the Gulf of Alaska brought gusty winds and periods of heavy rain across the San Francisco and Monterey Bay areas from March 13 through March 16, 2012.
• Flash Flooding and Winter Storm in California, January 8 to 11, 20232 deaths · $32 million · 68 kt wind · 232 eventsA strong low pressure system moved through central California on January 9 and 10.
• Flash Flooding and Debris Flows in California, January 16 to 17, 20193 deaths · 85 kt wind · 89 eventsA moderate to strong atmospheric river impacted much of California in the middle of the month. A weak surface low developed off the coast on January 15th bringing moderate to heavy rainfall to portions of the region.
• Flash Flooding and Debris Flows in California, December 19 to 25, 20102 deaths · $162 million · 61 kt wind · 13 eventsA large Pacific plume of moisture ahead of an advancing trough of low pressure brought heavy rain and periods of serious flooding for nearly a week. The plume of moisture responsible was a form of an Atmospheric River.
• Flash Flooding and Debris Flows in California, November 8 to 9, 20223 deaths · $23,000 · 88 kt wind · 27 eventsPacific trough draws two atmospheric rivers, November 8-9, 2022.
• 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.
• 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.
• Debris Flow and High Wind in California, October 14 to 16, 20163 deaths · 61 kt wind · 4 eventsTwo low pressure systems brought a combination of strong winds and significant rain and high elevation snow on the 14th and 15th.
• Tornado and Flash Flooding in California, March 20 to 23, 20182 deaths · $2.8 million · EF0 · 31 eventsA warm plume of moist tropical air brought a very active period of weather to the area between the evening of March 20 and the evening of March 22.
• Tornado and Debris Flows in California, March 16 to 20, 20112 deaths · $2.7 million · EF1 · 7 eventsA series of weather systems bringing heavy rain, strong winds, high surf, and a tornado affected the District on March 16-21, 2011. Two deaths occurred during this time.
• Flash Flooding and Debris Flow in California, November 28 to 30, 20122 deaths · $65,000 · 73 kt wind · 38 eventsA series of significant winter storms impacted the district during late November and early December 2012. The first storm arrived November 28 and then was followed by three more winter storms.
• Tornadoes and Debris Flows in California, January 5 to 7, 20192 deaths · $8,000 · EF0 · 60 eventsA vigorous cold front swept through California on January 5th bringing widespread rainfall and gusty winds.
• Tornadoes and Debris Flows in California, January 6 to 12, 20171 death · $14 million · EF0 · 68 eventsTwo strong storms brought a range of significant weather impacts to northern interior California. The first storm was very wet and warm, the second not quite as wet but cooler with lower snow levels. Both storms brought strong, damaging winds.
• Debris Flows and Flooding in California, February 12 to 15, 20191 death · 2 injured · $23,000 · 79 kt wind · 167 eventsAn atmospheric river with an associated cold front moved through the region from February 12th to the 15th bringing widespread flooding and debris flows. Multiple mainstem rivers flooded prompting evacuations from local officials.
• Flash Flooding and Debris Flow in California, October 13, 20091 death · 3 injured · $8.4 million · 70 kt wind · 36 eventsA strong low pressure system made its way through Northern and Central California accompanied by deep tropical moisture and very strong winds. Heavy rain combined with the wind to cause numerous trees, tree limbs and pole/telephone powers to fall.
• Debris Flow and Flooding in California, December 27, 20222 deaths · 67 kt wind · 28 eventsA strong upper low pressure system moved through California on December 27. This system had abundant moisture associated with it as it pulled up a deep fetch of moisture of tropical origin.
• Debris Flow and Flooding in California, February 17 to 22, 20242 deaths · 1 in hail · 17 eventsA winter storm mid-February brought several days of continued heavy snow, rain, and gusty winds. Periods of chain controls were observed in the mountains with local reports of flooding and minor wind damage.
• Flash Flood and Debris Flow in California, January 28 to 30, 20211 death · 8 injured · $1.0 million · 67 kt wind · 15 eventsA potent trough of low pressure associated with a weak atmospheric river brought heavy mountain and snow and areas of flooding rains across Southern California from January 28th to 29th.
• Debris Flow and Flooding in California, December 31, 20222 deaths · $10 · 15 eventsAn atmospheric river impacted the Bay Area on December 31st, resulting in significant rainfall across the San Francisco Bay Area. Initial forecasts called for the most intense rainband to progressively move south towards the Central Coast as the day went on.
• Tornado and Flash Flooding in California, December 21 to 23, 20121 death · 2 injured · $3.4 million · EF0 · 37 eventsA series of storm systems, part of a large Atmospheric River type of pattern, impacted the area during late December 2012. From the 21st through 26th of December, heavy rain, gusty winds, flooding, and mudslides occurred across the Bay Area in these consecutive events.
• Flash Flooding and Debris Flow in California, January 15 to 17, 201935 injured · $66,000 · 65 kt wind · 13 eventsA high impact mini atmospheric river impacted Southern California January 14th and 15th which brought heavy rain and snow to the region. Seal Beach reported 2 inches of rain in 2 hours, which caused extensive flash flooding.

Debris Flow everywhereEvery kind of event in California

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.