Flash Flood — Modoc, California

2005-05-06 to 2005-05-08 · near Alturas, Modoc, California

Event narrative

County officials reported that flash flooding was occurring along Thom's Creek and Joseph Creek on the west slopes of the Warner Mountains just below Cedar Pass. As best as can be determined, heavy showers dropped about 2 inches of rain over the Warners in the preceding few days, and this combined with snow melt due to high freezing levels led to high flows on these creeks. Nine homes were isolated by the flood waters, but no damage, deaths, or injuries were reported.

Wider weather episode

Based on the above report, a small stream flood advisory was issued at 06/1535 PDT, effective until 07/0900 PDT. However, the advisory was cancelled at 07/0435 PDT. It was reissued at 07/1135 PDT, effective until 08/0500 PDT, when county officials indicated the problem was ongoing. This advisory was extended to 08/1200 PDT at 08/0200 PDT, and extended again to 09/1200 PDT at 08/1015 PDT. It was cancelled at 08/1320 PDT when county officials indicated that flood waters had subsided. However, main stem flooding later occurred on the Pit River, into which these two creeks drain.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (41.4833, -120.5333)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 5446644. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.