Water Damage Restoration in San Diego, CA
San Diego by the numbers: 85 flood report days from 2016 to 2025, 10 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 San Diego
- 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 San Diego Floods
San Diego County logged flooding on 85 days from 2016 to 2025 (250 NOAA reports), January most often.
At the San Diego Montgomery Field gauge, February is the wettest month with 2.7 inches on average.
Hurricanes, tropical storms or storm surge added 1 report day.
| Month | Flood report days | Normal precipitation (in) |
|---|---|---|
| January | 16 | 2.3 |
| February | 12 | 2.7 |
| March | 12 | 1.6 |
| April | 4 | 0.8 |
| May | 2 | 0.3 |
| June | 1 | 0.1 |
| July | 3 | 0.1 |
| August | 10 | 0 |
| September | 8 | 0.2 |
| October | 0 | 0.5 |
| November | 7 | 0.9 |
| December | 10 | 1.6 |
Storms and Disasters in San Diego
San Diego County was named in 10 federal weather or fire declarations since 2016 (OpenFEMA).
Notable NOAA storm reports
- January 22, 2024: Flash flood (San Diego County)CalTrans report of significant flooding near I-805 South and Imperial Avenue and Market Street in Encanto.
- August 20, 2023: Tropical storm (San Diego 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.
- September 24, 2021: Hail, 1 inch hail (San Diego County)Measured hail 1 inch in diameter.
- April 22, 2019: Tornado, EFU (San Diego County)KUSI TV shared several photos of a waterspout over Lake Morena. Early a report and photo of a funnel cloud was capture on SDGE webcamera near Mt Laguna. No damage reported but water spray evident over the lake.
- January 31, 2016: Thunderstorm wind, 72 mph gust (San Diego County)Multiple mesonet stations in the Santa Ysabel and Julian area reported thunderstorm wind gusts of 58 to 72 mph. The peak gust of 72 mph occurred at Hoskings Ranch between 2320 and 2330 PST.
Federal disaster declarations
- February 19, 2024: Severe Storm And FloodingFlood, FEMA DR-4758
- 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
- July 6, 2018: West FireFire, FEMA FM-5251
- January 2, 2018: Wildfires, Flooding, Mudflows, And Debris FlowsFire, FEMA DR-4353
San Diego Housing at a Glance
Census figures for the city of San Diego (American Community Survey, 2020 to 2024): 568,668 housing units, a median build year of 1979, 52% built before 1980, 32% before 1970, 47% 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 San Diego flood zones on FEMA's flood maps.
Restoration Cost Guide for San Diego
| 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 San Diego
The same 24/7 line covers the San Diego metro area, including:
- San Diego
- Chula Vista
- Oceanside
- Escondido
- Carlsbad
- El Cajon
- Vista
- San Marcos
- Encinitas
- La Mesa
- Santee
- National City
Other California city guides
- Los Angeles water damage restoration
- San Francisco water damage restoration
- Riverside 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.