102
Recorded events
2
Direct deaths
0
Direct injuries
$34.1M
Property damage
Flash Flood in Imperial County, California: 102 recorded events between 2000 and 2025. The strongest on record measured 0. That places the county #162 nationally and #7 statewide for this hazard.
Decade by decade
Flash Flood in Imperial County, California: events per decade
Reporting practice changed over time — early decades are undercounted, not calmer.
The busiest decade for flash flood in Imperial County is the 2020s, when 71 of the county's 102 recorded events were logged. Comparing decades is useful for spotting active periods, but the earliest years are thin because systematic reporting for this hazard began later.
Within the Imperial County archive, flash flood makes up 39.7% of all recorded severe weather across 8 hazard types. Nationally the county sits at #162 for this hazard and #7 within California, putting it in the 94.8 percentile of all U.S. counties.
Seasonality
Events by month
Sep is the peak month for flash flood in Imperial County with 50 recorded events, while Feb is the quietest. Seasonality here is a property of the archive as much as the climate: reports cluster where population and spotter networks are densest.
Significant events
Deadliest on record
| Date | Location | Scale | Deaths | Injuries | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 31, 2021 | PALO VERDE | 0 | 2 | 0 | $5K |
Most recent
Latest recorded events
| Date | Location | Magnitude | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 27, 2025 | BARD | 0 | $0 |
| Sep 27, 2025 | BARD | 0 | $0 |
| Sep 27, 2025 | WINTERHAVEN | 0 | $0 |
| Sep 27, 2025 | ARAZ | 0 | $20K |
| Sep 27, 2025 | GLAMIS | 0 | $0 |
| Sep 22, 2025 | GLAMIS | 0 | $0 |
| Sep 19, 2025 | HEBER | 0 | $30K |
| Sep 19, 2025 | NILAND | 0 | $0 |
| Sep 19, 2025 | AMOS | 0 | $0 |
| Sep 19, 2025 | GRAPE | 0 | $0 |
Other hazards here
More from Imperial County
From the record
What the reports say
Written by National Weather Service staff at the time of the event · public domain
Very heavy rainfall occurred along SR 78 in northeast Imperial County with amounts estimated to be approaching 7 inches in some places. This resulted in considerable flooding along the highway. The California Highway Patrol reported that a vehicle was swept off SR 78 at Milpitas Wash before overturning in the wash. Both occupants perished in the flash flood.
Significant flash flooding occurred along Highway 86 near Highway 78, leaving numerous motorists stranded on the flooded roadway. According to reports, up to 200 motorists were left stranded along Highway 86, with videos showing floodwaters that appeared to be around 3 to 5 feet deep over the roadway. Videos and images showed vehicles floating on the roadway with several vehicles almost completely submerged by the floodwaters. Multiple motorists were left stranded on top of their vehicles before being rescued. Portions of the roadway were also washed out by the flooding. No injuries or fatalities were reported.
Thunderstorms produced very heavy rainfall across northeast portions of Imperial County where nearly 7 inches of rain was estimated to have fallen in a 5 hour period. The Cibola RAWS site recorded 1.58 inches of rain between 1348PDT and 1548PDT. As a result, extensive flooding occurred along SR 78 from Palo Verde and areas south, damaging the road and leading to an extended closure for repairs.
Quick answers
Frequently asked
How many flash flood events are on record in Imperial County, California?
102 flash flood events are recorded in Imperial County between 2000 and 2025, causing 2 direct deaths.
What is the strongest flash flood recorded in Imperial County?
The strongest flash flood on record in Imperial County measured 0.
Where does the flash flood data for Imperial County come from?
All events come from the NOAA/NCEI Storm Events Database, the federal public-domain archive of severe weather reports. Dates are UTC, damage is as reported and not inflation-adjusted, and the most recent entries may still be revised.
Cite this page
“Flash Flood in Imperial County, California.” Severe Weather History. severeweatherhistory.com/county/california/imperial-county/flash-flood/ · Data: NOAA/NCEI, FEMA, U.S. Census — public domain.