Sierra County, California
County storm and disaster record · FIPS 06091 · population 3,200 · 953 sq mi
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 1,095 records for Sierra County, California from 1950 through June 30, 2026, on 663 days; the most frequent are winter storm records (804 records). 1,035 of them are forecast-zone records, which the National Weather Service files once per zone: a county covered by several zones receives each one, so a single storm can add several records on the same day. The deadliest single record is the June 18, 2025 cold/wind chill, filed for the forecast zone West Slope Northern Sierra Nevada, which covers the county: 3 deaths. FEMA has issued 16 declarations naming the county since 1964, 14 of them for natural hazards; the latest for a natural hazard was “Severe Winter Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides” on April 3, 2023.
The record, 1950 to 2026
Storm records filed for the county each year (2026 to June 30, 2026). Before 1996 NOAA recorded only tornadoes (from 1950), thunderstorm wind and hail (from 1955).
- recorded, no damage figure
- under $100,000
- $100,000 or more
- $1 million or more
- $10 million or more, or a death
- $100 million or more, or 10 deaths
- a year's colour: its recorded damage or deaths
- a year with a death
- 1955: wind and hail recorded from 1955
- 1996: all 48 event types from 1996
- Storm records
- 1,095on 663 days, 1950 to June 30, 2026
- Deaths recorded
- 2381 injuries
- Damage, 2025 dollars
- $19Mas filed (scale steps before 1993)
- FEMA declarations
- 16latest 2023
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records through June 30, 2026 (file revision 20260918); damage converted to 2025 dollars with the BLS CPI-U. Search the record at NCEI. BLS consumer price index.
What hazards hit Sierra County most?
The most frequent records are winter storm records: 804 since 1996. 40% of its winter storm records since 1996 fell in December and January. The rank column places the county among California's counties by days with a record per 1,000 square miles of land over each hazard's complete period.
| Hazard | Records | Days | First, last | Killed | Injured | Damage | Rank in state |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winter storms | 804 | 478 | 1996-2026 | 11 | 14 | $664K | 3 of 57 |
| High wind and dust storms | 142 | 110 | 1996-2026 | 0 | 3 | $6.5M | 13 of 57 |
| Heavy rain | 46 | 36 | 1999-2025 | 0 | 0 | – | 4 of 57 |
| Drought | 32 | 32 | 2009-2023 | 0 | 0 | $69K | 15 of 57 |
| Wildfires | 26 | 26 | 2007-2024 | 2 | 59 | $138K | 17 of 57 |
| Fog, smoke and funnel clouds | 11 | 9 | 1998-2013 | 0 | 0 | $2K | 30 of 57 |
| Landslides and avalanches | 8 | 8 | 1999-2021 | 2 | 3 | $1.9M | 17 of 57 |
| Hail | 6 | 5 | 1992-2015 | 0 | 0 | – | 25 of 57 |
| Heat | 6 | 6 | 2021-2023 | 0 | 0 | – | 41 of 57 |
| Extreme cold | 5 | 5 | 1997-2025 | 7 | 0 | – | 36 of 57 |
| Floods | 5 | 4 | 1997-2023 | 0 | 1 | $9.7M | 53 of 57 |
| Rip currents and high surf | 2 | 1 | 2021-2021 | 0 | 0 | – | 26 of 57 |
| Lightning | 1 | 1 | 2020-2020 | 1 | 1 | – | 25 of 57 |
| Severe thunderstorm wind | 1 | 1 | 2003-2003 | 0 | 0 | – | 50 of 57 |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database (county and forecast-zone records attributed to the county; a zone record shows its own totals on each county it covers). Days: dates with at least one record of the hazard in the county. Ranks: days with a record per 1,000 square miles of land (Census Bureau 2024 Gazetteer), since 1950 for tornadoes, 1955 for hail and thunderstorm wind, 1996 for the rest.
When was the last damaging storm in Sierra County?
The most recent record with damage, injuries or deaths is the February 15, 2026 winter storm (5 injuries).
Caltrans District 3, ski resorts and UC Berkeley Central Sierra Snow Lab reported 5 to 9 feet of heavy snow over a 5 day period. Major highways such as Interstate 80, Highway 50, Highway 88 and Highway 49 had extended closures and chain controls from heavy snow and spin outs. Thousands of power outages were reported from gusty southwest winds and heavy snow, trapping people in their homes without power and running out of gas for generators. There was one accident with 5 injuries at Echo Summit from a spinout. Southwest wind gusts of 40 to 60 mph were observed.
National Weather Service event narrative, NOAA Storm Events Database (search the full record, event 1310138)
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-05-03 | Strong WindLassen County and 2 more · forecast zone Lassen/Eastern Plumas/Eastern Sierra | 45 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-04-21 | Heavy SnowSierra County and 2 more · forecast zone Sierra Nevada Of Sierra-Nevada-Placer Counties Above 5000 Ft Including Interstate 80 | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-04-11 | Winter WeatherLassen County and 2 more · forecast zone Lassen/Eastern Plumas/Eastern Sierra | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-04-10 | Heavy SnowAlpine County and 8 more · forecast zone West Slope Northern Sierra Nevada | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-04-01 | High WindLassen County and 2 more · forecast zone Lassen/Eastern Plumas/Eastern Sierra | 53 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-02-19 | Winter StormLassen County and 2 more · forecast zone Lassen/Eastern Plumas/Eastern Sierra | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-02-15 | Heavy SnowLassen County and 2 more · forecast zone Lassen/Eastern Plumas/Eastern Sierra | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-02-15 | Winter StormAlpine County and 8 more · forecast zone West Slope Northern Sierra Nevada | 0 | 5 | – | |
| 2026-02-09 | Winter WeatherLassen County and 2 more · forecast zone Lassen/Eastern Plumas/Eastern Sierra | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-01-03 | Heavy SnowLassen County and 2 more · forecast zone Lassen/Eastern Plumas/Eastern Sierra | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-01-02 | Heavy SnowAlpine County and 8 more · forecast zone West Slope Northern Sierra Nevada | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-12-24 | Heavy SnowAlpine County and 8 more · forecast zone West Slope Northern Sierra Nevada | 0 | 0 | – |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database; every record of 2025-2026 is listed, earlier ones when they caused deaths, injuries or $250,000 of damage (2025 dollars), and every tornado.
The deadliest and costliest records
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-06-18 | Cold/Wind ChillAlpine County and 8 more · forecast zone West Slope Northern Sierra Nevada Placer County Sheriff reported the missing hikers entered the water on June 18th and did not surface. Their bodies were recovered on June 22nd. Air temperatures at the time were in the mid 70s to 80s at the time of the report with water temperatures in the 40s to 50s. | 3 | 0 | – | |
| 2015-09-09 | WildfireAlpine County and 6 more · forecast zone West Slope Northern Sierra Nevada There were 70,868 acres were burned in the Butte Fire, the 7th most destructive fire in California history. There were 475 residences and 343 outbuildings destroyed, and 45 structures damaged. In the fire there were 2 civilian fatalities and 1 injury. The cause has tentatively been attributed to a PG&E power line ... | 2 | 1 | – | |
| 2021-05-14 | Cold/Wind ChillAlpine County and 6 more · forecast zone West Slope Northern Sierra Nevada Tuolumne County Sheriff has confirmed two deaths at Gods Bath Swimming Hole along the Clavey River in Stanislaus National Forest. Originally reported as 3 victims in the search and rescue, 2 were then confirmed deceased and one is recovering. Appears to be cold-water / swift-water related, as water temperatures are in ... | 2 | 0 | – | |
| 2018-03-04 | Winter WeatherAlpine County and 6 more · forecast zone West Slope Northern Sierra Nevada A mother and son died after returning from a day of skiing to their vacation condominium in Kirkwood. A chunk of snow about the size of a trailer fell from the roof of their vacation condominium, burying them under about 3 feet of snow. | 2 | 0 | – | |
| 1999-02-06 | AvalancheAlpine County and 6 more · forecast zone West Slope Northern Sierra Nevada Four individuals were buried while sledding outside their lakeside cabin near the Sugar Bowl ski resort. Three of the individuals were able to dig themselves out and only sustained minor injuries. The fourth died of cardiac arrest after being trapped in the snow for six hours. | 1 | 3 | – | |
| 1996-12-20 | Heavy SnowAlpine County and 6 more · forecast zone West Slope Northern Sierra Nevada The heaviest snow in many years caused a number of problems in the Shasta-Cascades region and in the Sierra Nevada range. 8-foot snow accumulations at the higher elevations in a 36-hour timeframe came within half a foot of the record at Kirkwood Ski Resort (Amador/El Dorado counties). A storm total of 8 feet fell in ... | 1 | 2 | – | |
| 2020-07-25 | LightningSierraville Drwtr Ar, Sierra County A 47-year-old Nevada man died after being struck by lightning while on a jet ski at Stampede Reservoir in Sierra County on Saturday 25 July. His body went underwater near the boat ramp and divers later found his body 20 yards from the shoreline. The lightning also struck the man's son, who was knocked unconscious and ... | 1 | 1 | – | |
| 2009-12-06 | Heavy SnowAlpine County and 6 more · forecast zone West Slope Northern Sierra Nevada Heavy snow fell in the northern Sierra Nevada Mountains, with up to 3 feet of accumulation. Thirty six inches of snow were recorded at Lake Alpine, 35 inches recorded 10 miles west of Soda Springs, and 21 inches at Pacific House. The heavy snow along with gusty winds produced hazardous road conditions over the Sierra ... | 1 | 1 | – |
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017-02-09 | FloodSattley, Sierra County | 0 | 0 | $8.2M | |
| 2017-01-11 | Debris FlowPike, Sierra County | 0 | 0 | $1.9M | |
| 2005-12-30 | FloodSierraville, Sierra County | 0 | 0 | $1.5M | |
| 2014-12-30 | High WindAlpine County and 6 more · forecast zone West Slope Northern Sierra Nevada | 54 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $997K |
| 2008-01-04 | High WindAlpine County and 6 more · forecast zone West Slope Northern Sierra Nevada | 63 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $995K |
| 2017-01-08 | High WindAlpine County and 6 more · forecast zone West Slope Northern Sierra Nevada | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $578K |
| 1997-01-22 | Heavy SnowLassen County and 2 more · forecast zone Lassen/Eastern Plumas/Eastern Sierra | 0 | 0 | $368K | |
| 2002-12-14 | High WindLassen County and 2 more · forecast zone Lassen/Eastern Plumas/Eastern Sierra | 61 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $361K |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database: deaths and injuries direct and indirect; damage is property plus crops as estimated by the National Weather Service, converted to 2025 dollars.
Is it getting more frequent?
Records per decade for Sierra County's most frequent hazards. Counts rose everywhere after 1996, when NOAA began recording every event type, so compare decades within a hazard's complete period only (the shaded cells come before it).
| Hazard | 1950s | 1960s | 1970s | 1980s | 1990s | 2000s | 2010s | 2020-26 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winter storms | – | – | – | – | 79 | 221 | 276 | 228 |
| High wind and dust storms | – | – | – | – | 15 | 48 | 33 | 46 |
| Heavy rain | – | – | – | – | 1 | 8 | 24 | 13 |
| Drought | – | – | – | – | 0 | 1 | 10 | 21 |
| Wildfires | – | – | – | – | 0 | 6 | 12 | 8 |
| Fog, smoke and funnel clouds | – | – | – | – | 1 | 9 | 1 | 0 |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records per calendar decade; zone records from the CZ_TYPE field (Z).
What time of year?
40% of its winter storm records since 1996 fell in December and January. The two busiest months are in violet.
The values, month by month
Jan 211 · Feb 171 · Mar 165 · Apr 103 · May 30 · Jun 11 · Jul 19 · Aug 17 · Sep 24 · Oct 40 · Nov 102 · Dec 202 (records).
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records by the month they began.
Federal disaster declarations for Sierra County
FEMA's register lists 16 declarations that include Sierra County: 12 major disasters, 4 emergencies and 0 fire management assistance declarations. Most were for flood (6) and severe storm (5).
| Declared | Number | Type | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023-04-03 | DR-4699 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| 2023-03-10 | EM-3592 | Flood | Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| 2020-08-22 | DR-4558 | Fire | Wildfires |
| 2020-03-22 | DR-4482 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| 2020-03-13 | EM-3428 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| 2017-04-01 | DR-4308 | Flood | Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides |
| 2017-02-14 | DR-4301 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides |
| 2006-02-03 | DR-1628 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Landslides |
| 2005-09-13 | EM-3248 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| 1997-01-04 | DR-1155 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, Mud and Landslides |
| 1995-03-12 | DR-1046 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms, Flooding Landslides, Mud Flow |
| 1993-02-03 | DR-979 | Flood | Severe Winter Storm, Mud & Land Slides, & Flooding |
| 1986-02-21 | DR-758 | Flood | Severe Storms & Flooding |
| 1977-01-20 | EM-3023 | Drought | Drought |
| 1969-01-26 | DR-253 | Flood | Severe Storms & Flooding |
| 1964-12-24 | DR-183 | Flood | Heavy Rains & Flooding |
Source: FEMA OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (v2), declarations through October 2, 2026; one declaration is counted once however many areas it names. OpenFEMA dataset page.
How many floods has Sierra County had?
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 5 flood or flash flood records for Sierra County from 1997 to 2023, on 4 days, with 0 deaths. By flood insurance claims since 1978 (OpenFEMA, as of September 8, 2026), Sierra County ranks 1976th of 2,942 U.S. counties.
The National Flood Insurance Program has paid $592,000 on 26 claims filed in Sierra County; the most in one year was 8 in 1997. Claims count insured losses only: uninsured flood damage is not in this file.
The values, year by year
1995: 1 · 1996: 3 · 1997: 8 · 2005: 7 · 2017: 7; the other years: 0.
Source: FEMA OpenFEMA NFIP Redacted Claims, as of September 8, 2026; claims by year of loss, payments in the dollars of the year paid. OpenFEMA dataset page.
FEMA's modeled risk for Sierra County
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Sierra County Very Low overall, with an expected annual loss of $8.4 million. These are FEMA's model estimates of future loss from 18 hazards, not a count of what happened; they can differ from the record above.
| Hazard | Risk rating | Expected annual loss | Modeled frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wildfire | Relatively Moderate | $3.5M | once in about 65 years (modeled) |
| Landslide | Relatively Moderate | $97K | 3 a year (modeled) |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate | $538K | 16 a year (modeled) |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low | $552K | once in about 23 years (modeled) |
| Riverine Flooding | Relatively Low | $3.7M | once in about 7 years (modeled) |
| Drought | Relatively Low | $37K | 71 modeled event-days a year |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low | $29K | 37 a year (modeled) |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | $8 | once in about 833 years (modeled) |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county table, December 2025 release. FEMA's National Risk Index map.
Counties that share a border with Sierra County
Source: U.S. Census Bureau county adjacency file; NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records since 1950. The Census Bureau's adjacency file.
Next
- Winter storms in CaliforniaThe state's winter storm records, by county, year and month
- The California recordEvery hazard in the state, its deadliest events and its federal declarations
- FEMA's risk rating for each hazard in Sierra CountyThe hazard risk calculator: 18 hazards beside the county's record
- Download Sierra County's FEMA declarations (CSV)16 rows: every declaration that named the county, for your own analysis