Water Damage Restoration in Santa Rosa, CA
Santa Rosa by the numbers: 72 flood report days from 2016 to 2025, 15 freezing nights a year, 16 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 Santa Rosa
- 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 Santa Rosa Floods
Sonoma County logged flooding on 72 days from 2016 to 2025 (239 NOAA reports), January most often.
At the Santa Rosa gauge, December is the wettest month with 6.5 inches on average.
| Month | Flood report days | Normal precipitation (in) |
|---|---|---|
| January | 20 | 5.8 |
| February | 18 | 6.4 |
| March | 5 | 4.3 |
| April | 2 | 2 |
| May | 0 | 1.3 |
| June | 1 | 0.3 |
| July | 3 | 0 |
| August | 0 | 0 |
| September | 0 | 0.2 |
| October | 0 | 1.6 |
| November | 10 | 3.3 |
| December | 13 | 6.5 |
Freezing Nights in Santa Rosa
Santa Rosa averages 15 nights a year at or below 32°F (Santa Rosa station). NOAA counted 8 winter storm, ice or extreme cold days in Sonoma 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 Santa Rosa
Sonoma County was named in 16 federal weather or fire declarations since 2016 (OpenFEMA).
Notable NOAA storm reports
- February 5, 2025: Flood (Sonoma County)A landslide tore through a Santa Rosa home built on a burn scar from the 2017 Tubbs Fire, trapping two residents until firefighters pulled them to safety. Fire crews arrived around 5 p.m.
- August 16, 2020: Thunderstorm wind, 69 mph gust (Sonoma County)Mesonet station (PG&E) reported gusts near Forest Lake.
- January 4, 2017: Flash flood (Sonoma County)Colgan Creek near Sebastopol went above flood stage.
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
- October 16, 2020: WildfiresFire, FEMA DR-4569
- September 27, 2020: Glass FireFire, FEMA FM-5376
- August 22, 2020: WildfiresFire, FEMA DR-4558
- August 18, 2020: Lnu Lightning Fire ComplexFire, FEMA FM-5331
Santa Rosa Housing at a Glance
Census figures for the city of Santa Rosa (American Community Survey, 2020 to 2024): 71,382 housing units, a median build year of 1980, 50% built before 1980, 29% 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 Santa Rosa flood zones on FEMA's flood maps.
Restoration Cost Guide for Santa Rosa
| 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.
More California Cities
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
- Modesto water damage restoration
- Visalia water damage restoration
Questions
When is the first freeze in Santa Rosa?
The median first night at or below 32°F is December 1 and the median last is February 25 at the Santa Rosa 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.