Water Damage Restoration in Modesto, CA
Modesto by the numbers: 9 flood report days from 2016 to 2025, 12 freezing nights a year, 7 federal disaster declarations since 2016. Below: first steps, the records, California insurance rules and costs.
Updated November 2, 2026
First Steps for Water in a Home in Modesto
- 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 Modesto Floods
Stanislaus County logged flooding on 9 days from 2016 to 2025 (13 NOAA reports), December most often.
At the Modesto City County Airport gauge, January is the wettest month with 2.6 inches on average.
| Month | Flood report days | Normal precipitation (in) |
|---|---|---|
| January | 2 | 2.6 |
| February | 1 | 2.2 |
| March | 2 | 1.8 |
| April | 0 | 1 |
| May | 0 | 0.7 |
| June | 0 | 0.2 |
| July | 0 | 0 |
| August | 0 | 0 |
| September | 0 | 0.1 |
| October | 0 | 0.6 |
| November | 0 | 1.1 |
| December | 4 | 2.2 |
Freezing Nights in Modesto
Modesto averages 12 nights a year at or below 32°F (Modesto City County Airport station). NOAA counted 8 winter storm, ice or extreme cold days in Stanislaus County 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 Modesto
Stanislaus County was named in 7 federal weather or fire declarations since 2016 (OpenFEMA).
Notable NOAA storm reports
- April 21, 2026: Flood (Stanislaus County)California Highway Patrol reported roadway flooding across all lanes of State Route 99 at Pelandale Avenue offramp.
- April 1, 2025: Tornado, EF0 (Stanislaus County)A brief EF-0 tornado touched down at 2 ENE Salida at 2:13 PM PDT and was on the ground for 0.9 miles until 2:15 PM PDT. The tornado moved through several orchards and 3 properties.
- January 10, 2023: Thunderstorm wind, 75 mph gust (Stanislaus County)A large horse barn was picked up and moved over/across a 5-foot fence from winds from a severe thunderstorm straight line winds. Based on radar and damage photos, winds were around 75 mph.
- April 27, 2016: Tornado, EF0 (Stanislaus County)An EF0 tornado with swirling debris was observed near Hickman elementary school by a Sheriff's deputy and several members of the public.
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
- August 22, 2020: WildfiresFire, FEMA DR-4558
- August 21, 2020: Scu Ligtning Complex FireFire, FEMA FM-5338
Modesto Housing at a Glance
Census figures for the city of Modesto (American Community Survey, 2020 to 2024): 75,752 housing units, a median build year of 1978, 55% built before 1980, 32% before 1970, 59% 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 Modesto flood zones on FEMA's flood maps.
Restoration Cost Guide for Modesto
| 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 Modesto
The same 24/7 line covers the Modesto metro area, including:
- Modesto
- Turlock
- Ceres
- Riverbank
- Patterson
- Oakdale
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
- Fresno water damage restoration
- Oxnard water damage restoration
- Stockton water damage restoration
- Bakersfield water damage restoration
- Vallejo water damage restoration
- Visalia water damage restoration
- Santa Rosa water damage restoration
Questions
When is the first freeze in Modesto?
The median first night at or below 32°F is December 5 and the median last is January 31 at the Modesto City County 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.