National Weather ServiceCaliforniaFlash Flood WarningArchive to October 11, 2026
Flash Flood Warnings in California
The National Weather Service issued 236 flash flood warnings for California in 2025 and 177 a year on average in 2008-2025; in 2021-2025 it had the 4th most of any state. 2026 through September: 51, 67% below the average of 152 for those months in 2008-2025. San Bernardino was covered most often (1,062 times since 2008).
How many flash flood warnings does California get?
Every flash flood warning that covered part of California. 2026 is an outline: the year is not over.
The numbers
| Year | Count |
|---|---|
| 2026 (through September) | 60 |
| 2025 | 236 |
| 2024 | 129 |
| 2023 | 240 |
| 2022 | 307 |
| 2021 | 154 |
| 2020 | 68 |
| 2019 | 175 |
| 2018 | 149 |
| 2017 | 258 |
| 2016 | 124 |
| 2015 | 226 |
| 2014 | 215 |
| 2013 | 244 |
| 2012 | 183 |
| 2011 | 122 |
| 2010 | 126 |
| 2009 | 52 |
| 2008 | 171 |
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 11, 2026.
When in the year does California get them?
Sum of 2008-2025; the busiest month is labelled.
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 11, 2026.
Where in California?
| County or forecast zone | Since 2008 | Since 2023 | Last issued |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Bernardino | 1,062 | 177 | September 29, 2026 |
| Riverside | 456 | 63 | October 11, 2026 |
| Inyo | 317 | 50 | August 11, 2026 |
| San Diego | 259 | 36 | October 11, 2026 |
| Los Angeles | 246 | 77 | February 16, 2026 |
| Imperial | 165 | 49 | October 11, 2026 |
| Kern | 158 | 48 | December 24, 2025 |
| Ventura | 127 | 48 | August 11, 2026 |
| Santa Barbara | 100 | 32 | January 3, 2026 |
| Mariposa | 64 | 17 | December 26, 2025 |
| Mono | 64 | 10 | August 8, 2026 |
| Tulare | 61 | 17 | December 25, 2025 |
The NWS issues these products for counties or forecast zones; a zone can be part of a county or a mountain range.
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 11, 2026.
The latest flash flood warnings for California in AreaZine's record
NWS PhoenixWarningOctober 11, 2026
Flash Flood Warning: Imperial and Riverside, CA
In force until 5:00 a.m. PDT, October 11, 2026
NWS PhoenixWarningOctober 11, 2026
Flash Flood Warning: Imperial, CA
In force until 2:00 a.m. PDT, October 11, 2026
NWS PhoenixWarningOctober 11, 2026
Flash Flood Warning: Imperial, CA
In force until 3:45 a.m. PDT, October 11, 2026
NWS San DiegoWarningOctober 11, 2026
Flash Flood Warning: San Diego, CA
In force until 1:15 a.m. PDT, October 11, 2026
NWS PhoenixWarningOctober 11, 2026
Flash Flood Warning: Imperial, CA
In force until 3:15 a.m. PDT, October 11, 2026
NWS PhoenixWarningOctober 10, 2026
Flash Flood Warning: Imperial, CA
In force until 2:45 a.m. PDT, October 11, 2026
NWS PhoenixWarningOctober 10, 2026
Flash Flood Warning: La Paz and Riverside, AZ and CA
In force until 2:30 a.m. PDT, October 11, 2026
NWS PhoenixWarningOctober 10, 2026
Flash Flood Warning: Imperial, CA
In force until 3:30 a.m. PDT, October 11, 2026
This list is AreaZine's record of the NWS alert feed, kept since April 6, 2026; the counts above come from the complete IEM archive.
Source: National Weather Service alerts (api.weather.gov).
Every flash flood warning for California in AreaZine's record
47 notices in AreaZine's record; the latest first below. Every one, oldest first: April 10, 2026 to October 11, 2026.
- Flash Flood Warning: Imperial and Riverside, CA Imperial and Riverside Warning
- Flash Flood Warning: Imperial, CA Imperial Warning
- Flash Flood Warning: Imperial, CA Imperial Warning
- Flash Flood Warning: San Diego, CA San Diego Warning
- Flash Flood Warning: Imperial, CA Imperial Warning
- Flash Flood Warning: Imperial, CA Imperial Warning
- Flash Flood Warning: La Paz and Riverside, AZ and CA La Paz and Riverside Warning
- Flash Flood Warning: Imperial, CA Imperial Warning
- Flash Flood Warning: San Diego, CA San Diego Warning
- Flash Flood Warning: La Paz and Imperial, AZ and CA La Paz and Imperial Warning
- Flash Flood Warning: Imperial, CA Imperial expired
- Flash Flood Warning: Riverside, CA Riverside expired
- Flash Flood Warning: San Bernardino, CA San Bernardino expired
- Flash Flood Warning: Mohave and San Bernardino, AZ and CA Mohave and San Bernardino expired
- Flash Flood Warning: Mohave, San Bernardino and Clark, AZ and CA Mohave, San Bernardino and Clark expired
- Flash Flood Warning: San Bernardino and Clark, CA and NV San Bernardino and Clark expired
- Flash Flood Warning: Riverside and San Bernardino, CA Riverside and San Bernardino expired
- Flash Flood Warning: San Bernardino, CA San Bernardino expired
- Flash Flood Warning: Riverside, CA Riverside expired
- Flash Flood Warning: Mohave and San Bernardino, AZ and CA Mohave and San Bernardino expired
Source: National Weather Service alerts (api.weather.gov). A U.S. Government work, in the public domain.
What is a flash flood warning?
A flash flood warning means flash flooding is happening or about to happen: water rising fast in streams, streets or dry washes, usually within six hours of heavy rain or a dam or levee failure. A warning means the hazard is happening, about to happen, or very likely: act now to protect people and property. The national record · Every warning type in California.
How does California compare with its neighbours?
Arizona gets the most on California's border: 468 a year in 2021-2025.
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 11, 2026.
More records for California
- Flash Flood Watches in California35 a year
- Wind Advisories in California343 a year
- Flood Advisories in California296 a year
- Winter Weather Advisories in California128 a year
- Every warning type in California
- Flash Flood Warnings in every state3,924 a year nationally