Flash Flood — Imperial, California

2025-09-27 · near Bard, Imperial, California

Event narrative

Social Media video showed rapidly running water in Mission Wash. Timing estimated from radar. No damages or injuries reported.

Wider weather episode

An upper-level low situated over southern CA provided strong upper-level forcing for ascent across the area. Cold 500 mb temperatures of -12 to -13 degrees Celsius and steep lapse rates led to moderate instability values with MLCAPE peaking close to 1000 J/kg. The combination of the upper-level forcing and moderate instability led to the development of strong thunderstorms across the southeastern portion of Imperial County with rainfall rates in excess of 2-3 inches per hour. This led to areas of flash flooding.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (32.8340, -114.5477)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1293523. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.