Flash Flood — San Luis Obispo, California

2023-01-09 · near Wellsona, San Luis Obispo, California

Event narrative

A woman and her 5 year old child were swept down a flooded roadway near San Marcos Creek. The woman survived, but her 5 year old child died.

Wider weather episode

A powerful atmospheric river brought heavy rainfall, widespread flooding and gusty winds to the area. Rainfall totals generally ranged from 2-6 inches across the coastal and valley areas with 6-16 inches across the mountains and foothills. With the heavy rainfall, widespread flooding, especially across San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties. Strong southerly winds, gusting up to 94 MPH, were reported across the area.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (35.7000, -120.7300)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1078958. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.