Water Damage Restoration in San Francisco, CA
San Francisco by the numbers: 115 flood report days from 2016 to 2025, 11 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 Francisco
- 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 Francisco Floods
The 5 counties of the Bay Area metro area logged flooding on 115 days from 2016 to 2025 (417 NOAA reports), January most often.
At the San Francisco Dwtn gauge, December is the wettest month with 4.8 inches on average.
Hurricanes, tropical storms or storm surge added 1 report day.
| Month | Flood report days | Normal precipitation (in) |
|---|---|---|
| January | 28 | 4.4 |
| February | 25 | 4.4 |
| March | 12 | 3.2 |
| April | 7 | 1.6 |
| May | 1 | 0.7 |
| June | 0 | 0.2 |
| July | 3 | 0 |
| August | 0 | 0.1 |
| September | 1 | 0.1 |
| October | 0 | 0.9 |
| November | 14 | 2.6 |
| December | 24 | 4.8 |
| County | Flood report days | Reports |
|---|---|---|
| Alameda County | 66 | 143 |
| Marin County | 60 | 89 |
| San Francisco County | 47 | 83 |
| Contra Costa County | 35 | 51 |
| San Mateo County | 34 | 57 |
Storms and Disasters in Bay Area
The 5 counties of the Bay Area metro area were named in 11 federal weather or fire declarations since 2016 (OpenFEMA).
Notable NOAA storm reports
- February 4, 2025: Flood (Marin County)A woman drove through a downpour on Platform Bridge Road before a large puddle caused her to lose control and crash into a flooded creek. A Marin County Sheriffs deputy rescued her and helped her reach safety.
- December 26, 2024: Flood (Marin County)State Highway 1 was completely flooded just south of mile marker 27.
- December 14, 2024: Thunderstorm wind, 97 mph gust (San Mateo County)A CWOP site in Pacifica (AE6DC-5) reported a 97 mph gust at 6:20 AM Saturday.
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 20, 2020: Czu Lightning Fire ComplexFire, FEMA FM-5336
San Francisco Housing at a Glance
Census figures for the city of San Francisco (American Community Survey, 2020 to 2024): 414,602 housing units, a median build year of 1946, 77% built before 1980, 69% before 1970, 38% 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 Francisco flood zones on FEMA's flood maps.
Restoration Cost Guide for San Francisco
| 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 Francisco
The same 24/7 line covers the Bay Area metro area, including:
- San Francisco
- Oakland
- Fremont
- Hayward
- Concord
- Berkeley
- Antioch
- Richmond
- San Mateo
- Daly City
- San Leandro
- San Ramon
Other California city guides
- Los Angeles 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.