Water Damage Restoration in Riverside, CA
Riverside by the numbers: 196 flood report days from 2016 to 2025, 2 freezing nights a year, 26 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 Riverside
- 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.
How Often Riverside Floods
Riverside and San Bernardino counties logged flooding on 196 days from 2016 to 2025 (656 NOAA reports), August most often.
At the Riverside Fire Station 3 gauge, February is the wettest month with 2.5 inches on average.
Hurricanes, tropical storms or storm surge added 1 report day.
| Month | Flood report days | Normal precipitation (in) |
|---|---|---|
| January | 18 | 2.2 |
| February | 9 | 2.5 |
| March | 13 | 1.6 |
| April | 6 | 0.6 |
| May | 10 | 0.2 |
| June | 3 | 0.1 |
| July | 31 | 0.1 |
| August | 45 | 0.1 |
| September | 28 | 0.2 |
| October | 9 | 0.4 |
| November | 11 | 0.7 |
| December | 13 | 1.4 |
| County | Flood report days | Reports |
|---|---|---|
| San Bernardino County | 163 | 446 |
| Riverside County | 90 | 210 |
Freezing Nights in Riverside
Riverside averages 2 nights a year at or below 32°F (Riverside Fire Station 3 station). NOAA counted 79 winter storm, ice or extreme cold days in Riverside and San Bernardino counties from 2016 to 2025.
Storms and Disasters in Riverside
Riverside and San Bernardino counties were named in 26 federal weather or fire declarations since 2016 (OpenFEMA).
Notable NOAA storm reports
- August 20, 2023: Tropical storm (Riverside 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.
- August 22, 2020: Hail, 1.75 inch hail (San Bernardino County)Hail up to golf ball size accumulated several inches deep on Interstate 15 at Mountain Pass. Vehicle damage was reported, including broken windshields.
- April 16, 2019: Tornado, EF0 (San Bernardino County)A landspout tornado entered San Bernardino County from Kern County and tracked roughly a half mile northeast before dissipating in open desert. One truck was damaged, and one window was broken out of a home.
- February 14, 2019: Flash flood (Riverside County)Heavy rainfall of 3 to 6 inches occurred in 12 hours and up to 1 inch per hour rates. This was the most significant flash flooding and debris flows since the December 6, 2018 event.
- August 26, 2016: Thunderstorm wind, 86 mph gust (San Bernardino County)There was substantial damage at the airport, including at least two airplanes. A nearby residence also had property and tree damage.
Federal disaster declarations
- May 20, 2026: Bain FireFire, FEMA FM-5636
- September 11, 2024: Airport FireFire, FEMA FM-5538
- September 11, 2024: Bridge FireFire, FEMA FM-5537
- September 7, 2024: Line FireFire, FEMA FM-5535
- July 21, 2024: Hawarden FireFire, FEMA FM-5515
- November 21, 2023: Tropical Storm HilaryHurricane, FEMA DR-4750
- 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
Riverside Housing at a Glance
Census figures for the city of Riverside (American Community Survey, 2020 to 2024): 99,910 housing units, a median build year of 1976, 57% built before 1980, 39% before 1970, 57% 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 Riverside flood zones on FEMA's flood maps.
Restoration Cost Guide for Riverside
| 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 Riverside
The same 24/7 line covers the Riverside metro area, including:
- Riverside
- San Bernardino
- Fontana
- Moreno Valley
- Ontario
- Rancho Cucamonga
- Corona
- Victorville
- Menifee
- Murrieta
- Temecula
- Jurupa Valley
Other California city guides
- Los Angeles water damage restoration
- San Francisco 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
When is the first freeze in Riverside?
The median first night at or below 32°F is December 25 and the median last is January 9 at the Riverside Fire Station 3 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.