Sutter County, California
County storm and disaster record · FIPS 06101 · population 99,621 · 603 sq mi
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 408 records for Sutter County, California from 1950 through June 30, 2026, on 248 days; the most frequent are high wind and dust records (110 records). 375 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 day on its record was June 18, 2017: excessive heat records filed for Sutter County that day count 8 deaths across 3 records. FEMA has issued 20 declarations naming the county since 1964, 17 of them for natural hazards; the latest for a natural hazard was “Severe Winter Storms, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides” on April 13, 2024.
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
- 408on 248 days, 1950 to June 30, 2026
- Deaths recorded
- 6183 injuries
- Damage, 2025 dollars
- $113Mas filed (scale steps before 1993)
- Tornadoes
- 6strongest EF1
- FEMA declarations
- 20latest 2024
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 Sutter County most?
The most frequent records are high wind and dust records: 110 since 1996. 59% of its high wind and dust records since 1996 fell in January and February. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High wind and dust storms | 110 | 62 | 1996-2025 | 9 | 5 | $68M | 16 of 57 |
| Drought | 87 | 47 | 2014-2023 | 0 | 0 | – | 2 of 57 |
| Heat | 79 | 50 | 1999-2024 | 18 | 23 | – | 1 of 57 |
| Extreme cold | 39 | 30 | 1998-2025 | 10 | 0 | $12M | 5 of 57 |
| Floods | 35 | 23 | 1996-2025 | 1 | 0 | $23M | 13 of 57 |
| Wildfires | 19 | 17 | 2008-2024 | 6 | 11 | $5.5M | 15 of 57 |
| Fog, smoke and funnel clouds | 17 | 15 | 1997-2026 | 17 | 44 | $3.9M | 12 of 57 |
| Tornadoes | 6 | 6 | 2005-2019 | 0 | 0 | $207K | 7 of 57 |
| Hail | 4 | 2 | 2016-2017 | 0 | 0 | – | 35 of 57 |
| Heavy rain | 4 | 4 | 1998-2009 | 0 | 0 | – | 42 of 57 |
| Rip currents and high surf | 3 | 2 | 1996-2016 | 0 | 0 | – | 15 of 57 |
| Winter storms | 3 | 2 | 1996-2009 | 0 | 0 | – | 46 of 57 |
| Landslides and avalanches | 1 | 1 | 2023-2023 | 0 | 0 | – | 37 of 57 |
| Severe thunderstorm wind | 1 | 1 | 2019-2019 | 0 | 0 | – | 44 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.
How many tornadoes has Sutter County had?
NOAA records 6 tornadoes in Sutter County from 2005 to 2019, the strongest rated EF1, with 0 deaths and 0 injuries recorded in the county. That is 7th of 57 California counties by days with tornadoes per 1,000 square miles since 1950. A tornado that crossed a county line is counted in each county it touched, with the length of its path inside the county.
Counted as whole tornadoes rather than county records, the Storm Prediction Center's database holds 6 tornadoes whose track touched Sutter County since 1950 (NOAA's county records number 6, the same count); along their whole tracks they killed 0 people.
Map of the strongest tornado tracks in California.
Every tornado record filed for Sutter County (6)
| Date | Place | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019-02-02 | Yuba City South, Sutter County | EF0 0.3 mi x 20 yd | 0 | 0 | $6K |
| 2014-03-26 | Pleasant Grove, Sutter County | EF0 0.63 mi x 25 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2012-10-22 | Yuba City South, Sutter County | EF1 2 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2011-06-01 | Berg, Sutter County | EF0 5.13 mi x 10 yd | 0 | 0 | $66K |
| 2005-05-09 | Yuba City, Sutter County | F0 1 mi x 0 yd | 0 | 0 | $136K |
| 2005-03-29 | Yuba City, Sutter County | F0 0.2 mi x 0 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, tornado records by county (path length in the county, maximum width); ratings as published: F scale before February 1, 2007, EF scale after. Whole-track figures: NOAA Storm Prediction Center tornado database (1950-2025). SPC severe weather database.
When was the last damaging storm in Sutter County?
The most recent record with damage, injuries or deaths is the January 20, 2026 dense fog (1 death and 2 injuries).
A traffic collision occurred at 7:26 pm on January 20th 2026 in the south bound lanes of Highway 70 by Striplin Road in Sutter County, California. Dense fog was present in Sutter County California on Highway 70, with visibilities of a quarter mile or less. Two cars where involved in the crash, with a woman and an infant with major injuries and a fatality.
National Weather Service event narrative, NOAA Storm Events Database (search the full record, event 1308056)
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-01-20 | Dense FogAmador County and 6 more · forecast zone Southern Sacramento Valley | 1 | 2 | – | |
| 2025-12-24 | High WindAmador County and 6 more · forecast zone Southern Sacramento Valley | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $3K |
| 2025-12-24 | High WindButte County and 5 more · forecast zone Central Sacramento Valley | 68 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $5K |
| 2025-12-24 | FloodNicolaus, Sutter County | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-11-14 | FloodPleasant Grove, Sutter County | 1 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-05-19 | Cold/Wind ChillAmador County and 6 more · forecast zone Southern Sacramento Valley | 1 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-03-12 | Strong WindAmador County and 6 more · forecast zone Southern Sacramento Valley | 44 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $15K |
| 2025-02-07 | FloodMeridian, Sutter County | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-02-03 | FloodTarke, Sutter County | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2024-08-04 | Cold/Wind ChillAmador County and 6 more · forecast zone Southern Sacramento Valley | 1 | 0 | – | |
| 2024-08-03 | Cold/Wind ChillAmador County and 6 more · forecast zone Southern Sacramento Valley | 1 | 0 | – | |
| 2024-07-02 | Excessive HeatAmador County and 6 more · forecast zone Southern Sacramento Valley | 2 | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017-06-18 | Excessive HeatPlacer County and 4 more · forecast zone Southern Sacramento Valley The Sacramento County Coroner reported a total of 6 heat related deaths in the county. One victim was a 88-year-old woman found outside her home in Elk Grove on June 16th. She had been doing yard work. Her air conditioner was on inside her residence. Another decedent was a 36 year old male found collapsed behind his ... | 6 | 0 | – | |
| 1997-12-11 | Dense FogPlacer County and 4 more · forecast zone Yolo T W/Ne Solano/Sacramento T X Sw/X W Placer/X W Amador/S Sutter Patchy dense fog was a main contributing factor in a major chain reaction collision on northbound Interstate 5 near Lambert, CA, 17 miles south of downtown Sacramento. The crash involved 8 tractor trailers, 1 tanker truck, and 28 automobiles and small trucks. The five fatalities were burn victims caught in the fires ... | 5 | 26 | $2.8M | |
| 2020-11-14 | Dense FogButte County and 4 more · forecast zone Central Sacramento Valley The California Highway Patrol (CHP) reported a 10 vehicle pile up in Butte County, along highway 99 between Gridley and Biggs Saturday morning. The report noted 5 big rigs and 5 passenger vehicles were involved, which forced the highway to be closed for several hours. 5 fatalities were reported with this event, with 2 ... | 5 | 0 | – | |
| 2017-10-08 | WildfireButte County and 4 more · forecast zone Central Sacramento Valley The Wind Fire Complex included the Cascade, LaPorte, Lobo, and McCourtney fires. Total acreage of the Wind Complex was 17,037 acres. There was 1 injury and 4 fatalities. There were 398 structures destroyed, 203 residences, 194 outbuildings & 1 commercial structure. There were 16 structures destroyed, 6 residences & 10 ... | 4 | 1 | – | |
| 2017-06-17 | Excessive HeatButte County and 4 more · forecast zone Central Sacramento Valley Glenn County had 4 heat related hospital visits, with two fatalities where heat was a contributing factor, along with hypo-tonic dehydration. One of the fatalities was located in a mobile home without air conditioning, found on 06/17/2017 at 1926 PDT. The temperature of the house was over 100 inside. The other ... | 2 | 2 | – | |
| 2024-07-02 | Excessive HeatAmador County and 6 more · forecast zone Southern Sacramento Valley Dangerously hot daytime high temperatures of 100 to 115 degrees were observed from July 2nd through July 13th. Little relief from the heat was observed overnight, with low temperatures around the 60s to mid 70s over the same timeframe. Multiple daily high temperature records were tied or broken at Downtown Sacramento ... | 2 | 0 | – | |
| 2024-02-04 | High WindAmador County and 6 more · forecast zone Southern Sacramento Valley Mather Field Airport reported a wind gust of 68 mph. Sacramento International Airport reported a wind gust of 64 mph. McClellan Airfield reported sustained winds of 43 mph with gusts to 59 mph, and a max gust of 66 mph. Vacaville Nut Tree Airport reported a gust of 59 mph. Numerous reports of downed power lines and ... | 59 kt wind | 2 | 0 | $376K |
| 2020-06-30 | Cold/Wind ChillButte County and 4 more · forecast zone Central Sacramento Valley Two men were swimming in the Feather River near Yuba City, CA in Sutter County and were pulled under the water by currents near a beach north of the 10th Street bridge. One man was pulled from the water but was pronounced dead on the way to the hospital. The other man's body was found in the river on Friday July 3, ... | 2 | 0 | – |
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008-01-04 | High WindButte County and 4 more · forecast zone Central Sacramento Valley | 60 kt wind | 1 | 1 | $51M |
| 1998-02-02 | FloodPlacer County and 4 more · forecast zone Southern Sacramento Valley | 0 | 0 | $22M | |
| 2008-01-04 | High WindPlacer County and 4 more · forecast zone Southern Sacramento Valley | 62 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $10M |
| 2007-01-14 | Frost/FreezePlacer County and 4 more · forecast zone Southern Sacramento Valley | 0 | 0 | $7.4M | |
| 2024-07-02 | WildfireButte County and 5 more · forecast zone Central Sacramento Valley | 0 | 0 | $4.9M | |
| 1998-12-19 | Cold/Wind ChillButte County and 4 more · forecast zone Central Sacramento Valley | 0 | 0 | $4.3M | |
| 1997-12-11 | Dense FogPlacer County and 4 more · forecast zone Yolo T W/Ne Solano/Sacramento T X Sw/X W Placer/X W Amador/S Sutter | 5 | 26 | $2.8M | |
| 2006-01-01 | FloodCountywide, Sutter County | 0 | 0 | $1.3M |
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 Sutter 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High wind and dust storms | – | – | – | – | 22 | 20 | 30 | 38 |
| Drought | – | – | – | – | 0 | 0 | 29 | 58 |
| Heat | – | – | – | – | 3 | 26 | 16 | 34 |
| Extreme cold | – | – | – | – | 4 | 18 | 4 | 13 |
| Floods | – | – | – | – | 9 | 13 | 1 | 12 |
| Wildfires | – | – | – | – | 0 | 4 | 6 | 9 |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records per calendar decade; zone records from the CZ_TYPE field (Z).
What time of year?
59% of its high wind and dust records since 1996 fell in January and February. The two busiest months are in violet.
The values, month by month
Jan 74 · Feb 48 · Mar 24 · Apr 19 · May 24 · Jun 38 · Jul 37 · Aug 27 · Sep 22 · Oct 23 · Nov 27 · Dec 45 (records).
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records by the month they began.
Federal disaster declarations for Sutter County
FEMA's register lists 20 declarations that include Sutter County: 15 major disasters, 5 emergencies and 0 fire management assistance declarations. Most were for severe storm (7) and flood (6).
| Declared | Number | Type | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-04-13 | DR-4769 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| 2023-01-14 | DR-4683 | Flood | Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| 2023-01-09 | EM-3591 | Flood | Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides |
| 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 | EM-3381 | Dam/Levee Break | Potential Failure of the Emergency Spillway at Oroville Lake |
| 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 |
| 1998-02-09 | DR-1203 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms and Flooding |
| 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 |
| 1995-01-10 | DR-1044 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, Mud Flows |
| 1991-02-11 | DR-894 | Freezing | Severe Freeze |
| 1986-02-21 | DR-758 | Flood | Severe Storms & Flooding |
| 1983-02-09 | DR-677 | Coastal Storm | Coastal Storms, Floods, Slides & Tornadoes |
| 1977-01-20 | EM-3023 | Drought | Drought |
| 1970-02-16 | DR-283 | 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 Sutter County had?
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 35 flood or flash flood records for Sutter County from 1996 to 2025, on 23 days, with 1 death. By flood insurance claims since 1978 (OpenFEMA, as of September 8, 2026), Sutter County ranks 943rd of 2,942 U.S. counties.
The National Flood Insurance Program has paid $3.0 million on 199 claims filed in Sutter County; the most in one year was 37 in 1997. Claims count insured losses only: uninsured flood damage is not in this file.
The values, year by year
1980: 1 · 1983: 7 · 1986: 25 · 1995: 30 · 1996: 8 · 1997: 37 · 1998: 37 · 1999: 2 · 2000: 2 · 2001: 1 · 2005: 3 · 2007: 1 · 2008: 1 · 2011: 1 · 2012: 1 · 2016: 1 · 2017: 33 · 2018: 1 · 2019: 3 · 2024: 3 · 2025: 1; 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 Sutter County
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Sutter County Relatively Moderate overall, with an expected annual loss of $44.8 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drought | Very High | $21M | 65 modeled event-days a year |
| Earthquake | Relatively Moderate | $9.8M | once in about 24 years (modeled) |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate | $1.3M | 7.7 modeled event-days a year |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low | $272K | once in about 289 years (modeled) |
| Riverine Flooding | Relatively Low | $12M | once in about 2 years (modeled) |
| Lightning | Relatively Low | $199K | 8.4 a year (modeled) |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | $24 | once in about 10,000 years (modeled) |
| Landslide | Very Low | $997 | 3 a year (modeled) |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county table, December 2025 release. FEMA's National Risk Index map.
Counties that share a border with Sutter County
Source: U.S. Census Bureau county adjacency file; NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records since 1950. The Census Bureau's adjacency file.
Next
- Tornadoes in CaliforniaEvery California tornado since 1950 and the counties with the most per square mile
- High wind and dust storms in CaliforniaThe state's high wind and dust 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 Sutter CountyThe hazard risk calculator: 18 hazards beside the county's record
- Download Sutter County's FEMA declarations (CSV)20 rows: every declaration that named the county, for your own analysis