Heavy rains set new records in San Francisco, triggering floods and landslides, California
Two atmospheric rivers have battered the U.S. West Coast since January 31, 2025, bringing record rainfall to San Francisco and triggering landslides and flooding across California. At least one person was hospitalized.
A flooded route in Sonoma County, California - February 2025. Credit: Sonoma County Sheriff
A pair of atmospheric rivers brought record rainfall, flooding, and landslides to California’s West Coast from Friday, January 31 to Wednesday, February 5, prompting evacuations and rescue operations.
Downtown San Francisco recorded 64.3 mm (2.53 inches) of rain on February 4, breaking a 137-year-old daily record set in 1887. San Francisco International Airport (SFO) also set a new daily rainfall record on February 4, recording 39.1 mm (1.54 inches). This exceeded the previous record of 33 mm (1.3 inches), set in 1991.
The highest single-day rainfall recorded in downtown San Francisco was 140.7 mm (5.54 inches) on November 5, 1994. At SFO Airport, the highest daily total is 142 mm (5.59 inches), recorded on January 4, 1982.
Heavy rainfall caused severe flooding and landslides in the region. In Sonoma County, an unoccupied home collapsed into the Russian River in Forestville while authorities issued multiple evacuation orders for low-lying areas due to flooding and landslide risks.
A landslide struck a house in the Santa Rosa shortly after 17:00 local time (LT) on Tuesday, trapping two people who were later rescued by the local fire department. Authorities warned residents of 17 other homes in the region about potential landslides due to ongoing heavy rain.
The highest wind speeds were recorded along the coast north of San Francisco, with gusts reaching 145 km/h (90 mph). A wind gust of 111 km/h (69 mph) was recorded at San Francisco International Airport as a severe thunderstorm moved through, toppling trees and downing power lines in the city. The San Francisco Fire Department reported that one person was hospitalized after being struck by a falling tree.
A tree fell on a school in Santa Rosa at approximately 11:33 LT on Tuesday. While no injuries were reported, debris from the fallen tree led to the closure of a lane in front of the school.
Several flood warnings and evacuation orders were issued across the region as rivers and streams exceeded flood levels. The Russian River in Forestville was forecast to rise to a crest of 11 m (36 feet).
I am an Assistant Editor and Severe Weather & Science Journalist at The Watchers, specializing in real-time severe weather coverage, geophysical event reporting, and research-driven scientific analysis. You can reach me at rishav(at)watchers(.)news.
Commenting rules and guidelines
We value the thoughts and opinions of our readers and welcome healthy discussions on our website. In order to maintain a respectful and positive community, we ask that all commenters follow these rules.