Water Damage Restoration in Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles by the numbers: 73 flood report days from 2016 to 2025, 39 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 Los Angeles
- Plumbing leak: shut the main water valve (burst pipe steps). Flooding: stay out until the water stops rising (flooding steps).
- Stay clear of wet outlets and cords.
- Photograph the damage, then call your insurer.
Los Angeles Flood Record
NOAA has 168 flood and flash flood reports for Los Angeles and Orange counties from 2016 to 2025, on 73 separate days; January had the most.
At the Culver City gauge, February is the wettest month with 3.5 inches on average.
Hurricanes, tropical storms or storm surge added 2 report days.
| Month | Flood report days | Normal precipitation (in) |
|---|---|---|
| January | 16 | 3.3 |
| February | 14 | 3.5 |
| March | 11 | 2.2 |
| April | 2 | 0.6 |
| May | 3 | 0.4 |
| June | 0 | 0.1 |
| July | 2 | 0 |
| August | 5 | 0 |
| September | 1 | 0.1 |
| October | 2 | 0.6 |
| November | 6 | 0.9 |
| December | 11 | 2.5 |
| County | Flood report days | Reports |
|---|---|---|
| Orange County | 54 | 81 |
| Los Angeles County | 29 | 87 |
Storms and Disasters in Los Angeles
Los Angeles and Orange counties were named in 39 federal weather or fire declarations since 2016 (OpenFEMA).
Notable NOAA storm reports
- February 16, 2026: Thunderstorm wind, 81 mph gust (Los Angeles County)Thunderstorm wind gusts up to 81 MPH were reported at the Saddle Peak sensor.
- March 24, 2024: Hail, 1 inch hail (Los Angeles County)A strong thunderstorm generate one inch diameter hail in the city of Azusa.
- August 20, 2023: Tropical storm (Orange County)Tropical Storm Hilary produced widespread tropical storm-force winds across Southern California from early morning on August 20 through the early overnight hours into August 21.
- March 22, 2023: Tornado, EF1 (Los Angeles County)A weak tornado developed in the community of Montebello. The EF1 tornado impacted the area around the intersection of Washington Boulevard and Maple Avenue.
- December 14, 2021: Flash flood (Orange County)Reported 6 debris flows in Bond Fire scar and 4 in Silverado Canyon. Santiago Creek Road blockage from high water flows and mud. Jackson Creek Road flooded with mud and debris.
Federal disaster declarations
- October 16, 2026: Norte FireFire, FEMA FM-5679
- August 8, 2025: Canyon FireFire, FEMA FM-5605
- January 8, 2025: Hurst FireFire, FEMA FM-5551
- January 8, 2025: Eaton FireFire, FEMA FM-5550
- January 8, 2025: Wildfires And Straight-Line WindsFire, FEMA DR-4856
- January 7, 2025: Palisades FireFire, FEMA FM-5549
- December 10, 2024: Franklin FireFire, FEMA FM-5548
Los Angeles Housing at a Glance
Census figures for the city of Los Angeles (American Community Survey, 2020 to 2024): 1,554,332 housing units, a median build year of 1965, 70% built before 1980, 57% before 1970, 36% 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 Los Angeles flood zones on FEMA's flood maps.
Restoration Cost Guide for Los Angeles
| 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 Los Angeles
The same 24/7 line covers the Los Angeles metro area, including:
- Los Angeles
- Long Beach
- Anaheim
- Irvine
- Santa Ana
- Santa Clarita
- Huntington Beach
- Glendale
- Garden Grove
- Lancaster
- Palmdale
- Pomona
Other California city guides
- San Francisco water damage restoration
- Riverside water damage restoration
- San Diego water damage restoration
- San Jose water damage restoration
- Sacramento water damage restoration
- Fresno 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
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.