National Weather ServiceCaliforniaFlood WarningArchive to October 1, 2026
Flood Warnings in California
The National Weather Service issued 70 flood warnings for California in 2025 and 48 a year on average in 2008-2025; in 2021-2025 it had the 26th most of any state. 2026 through September: 21, 45% below the average of 38 for those months in 2008-2025. Mendocino was covered most often (101 times since 2008).
How many flood warnings does California get?
Every flood warning that covered part of California. 2026 is an outline: the year is not over.
The numbers
| Year | Count |
|---|---|
| 2026 (through September) | 21 |
| 2025 | 70 |
| 2024 | 67 |
| 2023 | 175 |
| 2022 | 20 |
| 2021 | 20 |
| 2020 | 8 |
| 2019 | 103 |
| 2018 | 11 |
| 2017 | 215 |
| 2016 | 33 |
| 2015 | 22 |
| 2014 | 26 |
| 2013 | 4 |
| 2012 | 39 |
| 2011 | 30 |
| 2010 | 19 |
| 2009 | 3 |
| 2008 | 6 |
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 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 1, 2026.
Where in California?
| County or forecast zone | Since 2008 | Since 2023 | Last issued |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mendocino | 101 | 42 | February 25, 2026 |
| Tehama | 95 | 24 | February 25, 2026 |
| Sonoma | 72 | 30 | January 5, 2026 |
| Humboldt | 63 | 20 | February 25, 2026 |
| Butte | 52 | 12 | February 26, 2026 |
| Glenn | 50 | 12 | February 26, 2026 |
| Monterey | 46 | 25 | February 13, 2025 |
| San Diego | 42 | 12 | January 1, 2026 |
| Santa Clara | 40 | 20 | February 13, 2025 |
| Sacramento | 39 | 7 | March 15, 2023 |
| Placer | 38 | 1 | January 1, 2023 |
| Mariposa | 38 | 13 | July 24, 2024 |
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 1, 2026.
The latest flood warnings for California in AreaZine's record
NWS Las VegasWarningAugust 11, 2026
Flood Warning: San Bernardino, CA
Expired 9:30 p.m. PDT, August 11, 2026
NWS Las VegasWarningJuly 17, 2026
Flood Warning: Mohave and San Bernardino, AZ and CA
Expired 1:00 a.m. PDT, July 18, 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).
What is a flood warning?
A flood warning means flooding is happening or about to happen. The NWS issues it both for rivers at forecast points (river flood warnings) and for areas where water ponds or runs off (areal flood warnings); AreaZine counts both. 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.