Water Damage Restoration in Fresno, CA
Fresno by the numbers: 76 flood report days from 2016 to 2025, 11 freezing nights a year, 9 federal disaster declarations since 2016. Below: first steps, the records, California insurance rules and costs.
Updated October 31, 2026
First Steps for Water in a Home in Fresno
- Burst pipe: shut the main water valve, then open the lowest faucet to drain the lines (burst pipe steps).
- Stay clear of wet outlets and cords.
- Photograph the damage, then call your insurer.
How Often Fresno Floods
Fresno and Madera counties logged flooding on 76 days from 2016 to 2025 (325 NOAA reports), January most often.
At the Fresno 2.4 NW gauge, January is the wettest month with 2.4 inches on average.
| Month | Flood report days | Normal precipitation (in) |
|---|---|---|
| January | 17 | 2.4 |
| February | 15 | 1.8 |
| March | 11 | 2.3 |
| April | 3 | 1 |
| May | 5 | 0.4 |
| June | 5 | 0.2 |
| July | 1 | 0 |
| August | 0 | 0 |
| September | 0 | 0.1 |
| October | 2 | 0.6 |
| November | 3 | 0.9 |
| December | 14 | 1.7 |
| County | Flood report days | Reports |
|---|---|---|
| Fresno County | 72 | 271 |
| Madera County | 23 | 54 |
Freezing Nights in Fresno
Fresno averages 11 nights a year at or below 32°F (Fresno Yosemite International Airport station). NOAA counted 103 winter storm, ice or extreme cold days in Fresno and Madera counties from 2016 to 2025.
Unheated crawl spaces, attics and garages freeze first (Red Cross); keep the heat at 55°F or more (IBHS).
Storms and Disasters in Fresno
Fresno and Madera counties were named in 9 federal weather or fire declarations since 2016 (OpenFEMA).
Notable NOAA storm reports
- June 5, 2023: Hail, 1 inch hail (Madera County)US Forest Service employees measured quarter sized hail near the Fresno Dome Campground.
- January 9, 2023: Flood (Fresno County)The Fresno County Emergency Manager reported that a large segment of SR 168 began to slide around 1300 on January 9 resulting in several large boulders blocking the roadway.
- September 5, 2020: Tornado, EF2 (Madera County)Storm survey conducted by on site NWS IMET. EF2 damage just north of Mammoth Pool, inside Wagner Campground and near Chawanakee Joint Elementary School.
- January 17, 2019: Tornado, EF1 (Fresno County)A tornado was determined by radar and observed by public and media. Submitted video indicated damage to a building and showed the tornado which touched down near the intersection of Herndon Ave. and Academy Ave. east of Clovis.
- September 11, 2017: Thunderstorm wind, 70 mph gust (Fresno County)Media posted video showing 30 power lines downed in Mendota from a microburst.
Federal disaster declarations
- April 3, 2023: Severe Winter Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, And MudslidesSevere Storm, FEMA DR-4699
- March 10, 2023: Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, And MudslidesFlood, FEMA EM-3592
- January 14, 2023: Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, And MudslidesFlood, FEMA DR-4683
- January 9, 2023: Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, And MudslidesFlood, FEMA EM-3591
- October 16, 2020: WildfiresFire, FEMA DR-4569
- September 6, 2020: Creek FireFire, FEMA FM-5348
Fresno Housing at a Glance
Census figures for the city of Fresno (American Community Survey, 2020 to 2024): 189,098 housing units, a median build year of 1980, 49% built before 1980, 32% before 1970, 50% owner occupied.
California Insurance Rules for Water Claims
California insurers must acknowledge a claim notice within 15 calendar days unless they pay in that time (California Department of Insurance, property claims adjusting guide (2026)).
Claim problems in California go to the California Department of Insurance.
Flood damage needs a separate flood policy, which typically starts 30 days after purchase (FloodSmart). Look up Fresno flood zones on FEMA's flood maps.
Restoration Cost Guide for Fresno
| Typical range (national) | Cost |
|---|---|
| Most jobs | $1,305 to $5,707 |
| Sewage, per sq ft | $7 to $7.50 |
| Average insurer payout, water or freeze claim | $15,400 |
Sources: Bob Vila, May 2023; III, 2019 to 2023.
Areas Served Around Fresno
The same 24/7 line covers the Fresno metro area, including:
- Fresno
- Clovis
- Madera
- Sanger
- Reedley
- Selma
- Chowchilla
Other California city guides
- Los Angeles water damage restoration
- San Francisco water damage restoration
- Riverside water damage restoration
- San Diego water damage restoration
- San Jose water damage restoration
- Sacramento water damage restoration
- Oxnard water damage restoration
- Stockton water damage restoration
- Bakersfield water damage restoration
- Vallejo water damage restoration
- Modesto water damage restoration
- Visalia water damage restoration
- Santa Rosa water damage restoration
Questions
When is the first freeze in Fresno?
The median first night at or below 32°F is December 14 and the median last is January 14 at the Fresno Yosemite International Airport station (NOAA normals, 1991 to 2020).
How fast does mold start?
Dry wet materials within 24 to 48 hours (EPA).
Sources: NOAA Storm Events, NOAA normals, OpenFEMA, Census ACS, California Department of Insurance, property claims adjusting guide (2026), EPA mold guide.