Water Damage Restoration in Sacramento, CA
Sacramento by the numbers: 78 flood report days from 2016 to 2025, 4 freezing nights a year, 16 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 Sacramento
- 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 Sacramento Floods
El Dorado, Placer, Sacramento and Yolo counties logged flooding on 78 days from 2016 to 2025 (260 NOAA reports), February most often.
At the Sacramento 2.0 SE gauge, January is the wettest month with 4.1 inches on average.
| Month | Flood report days | Normal precipitation (in) |
|---|---|---|
| January | 17 | 4.1 |
| February | 22 | 3.8 |
| March | 9 | 3 |
| April | 2 | 1.5 |
| May | 1 | 0.9 |
| June | 0 | 0.2 |
| July | 1 | 0 |
| August | 0 | 0 |
| September | 0 | 0.1 |
| October | 2 | 0.9 |
| November | 6 | 1.9 |
| December | 18 | 4 |
| County | Flood report days | Reports |
|---|---|---|
| Sacramento County | 51 | 134 |
| Placer County | 25 | 42 |
| El Dorado County | 24 | 42 |
| Yolo County | 23 | 42 |
Freezing Nights in Sacramento
Sacramento averages 4 nights a year at or below 32°F (Sacramento 5 ESE station). NOAA counted 226 winter storm, ice or extreme cold days in El Dorado, Placer, Sacramento and Yolo counties from 2016 to 2025.
Storms and Disasters in Sacramento
El Dorado, Placer, Sacramento and Yolo counties were named in 16 federal weather or fire declarations since 2016 (OpenFEMA).
Notable NOAA storm reports
- June 18, 2026: Thunderstorm wind, 61 mph gust (El Dorado County)Mesonet station LIB11 Meyers3400-Uplands measured a thunderstorm wind gust of 61 mph. Also, ASOS station KTVL measured a wind gust of 51 mph.
- January 14, 2023: Tornado, EF0 (Sacramento County)A brief, weak tornado touched down and caused damage to 3 residences along Kirkwood Street to the east of Herald. Roof damage to two garages was observed. An RV shelter and dog kennels were lifted up off the ground and sustained damage.
- January 1, 2023: Flash flood (Sacramento County)The Cosumnes River rose rapidly due to very heavy rains and already elevated levels from previous storms.
- August 20, 2017: Hail, 1.75 inch hail (El Dorado County)A severe thunderstorm near Emerald Bay/D. L. Bliss State Park dropped large hail up to 1.75 inches in diameter. No damage estimates/reports were available.
- January 11, 2017: Tornado, EF0 (Sacramento County)An NWS survey determined an EF0 tornado touched down in the southern Natomas area of Sacramento- South Natomas Tornado. The path length was 3/8 of a mile. Several trees and fences were downed.
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
- September 9, 2022: Mosquito FireFire, FEMA FM-5453
- September 12, 2021: WildfiresFire, FEMA DR-4619
- September 1, 2021: Caldor FireFire, FEMA EM-3571
- August 24, 2021: WildfiresFire, FEMA DR-4610
Sacramento Housing at a Glance
Census figures for the city of Sacramento (American Community Survey, 2020 to 2024): 212,485 housing units, a median build year of 1977, 54% built before 1980, 41% before 1970, 52% 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 Sacramento flood zones on FEMA's flood maps.
Restoration Cost Guide for Sacramento
| 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 Sacramento
The same 24/7 line covers the Sacramento metro area, including:
- Sacramento
- Elk Grove
- Roseville
- Folsom
- Citrus Heights
- Rancho Cordova
- Rocklin
- Davis
- Woodland
- Lincoln
- West Sacramento
- Galt
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
- 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 Sacramento?
The median first night at or below 32°F is December 16 and the median last is January 12 at the Sacramento 5 ESE 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.