The Petaluma River runs through the city's historic downtown, and floods have shaped the city's planning for decades.
Flood history
A Petaluma Wetlands Alliance summary of the city's floodplain plan says Petaluma's largest flood of record, January 3 to 5, 1982, caused an estimated $28 million in damage. El Niño storms in February 1998 caused nearly $6 million in damage in Petaluma. On December 31, 2005, flooding hit the middle and northern parts of town, damaging about 53 structures, not counting mobile home parks (Petaluma Wetlands Alliance). The same summary says floods here usually last three to four days or less and typically come between December and March.
What's been built
The City of Petaluma lists the Payran Reach project (river widening and floodwalls), Denman Reach to reduce flooding along Industrial Avenue, and Capri Creek to reduce out-of-bank flooding east of North McDowell Boulevard. Crews clear storm drains, creeks and pump stations and patrol known flood-prone areas during storms (City of Petaluma).
Check your risk
The city updated its flood modeling in 2023 to include sea-level rise and posts the maps on its flood management page. Also check FEMA's Flood Map Service Center.
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Sandbags
The County has listed Rancho Adobe Fire Station #3, 99 Liberty Road, as a Petaluma-area sandbag location during weather events (SoCoEmergency). Check the city's site too.
When water gets in
Photograph, remove soaked materials, and dry fast. See flood cleanup and flood insurance in Sonoma County.
Related
- Mold after flooding in Petaluma on Sonoma Mold Removal
- Petaluma area page
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Sources
- Petaluma Wetlands Alliance: Flooding (summary of the city floodplain plan)
- City of Petaluma: Flood management
- SoCoEmergency: Sandbags
- FEMA Flood Map Service Center
Sources checked October 18, 2026.
Frequently asked questions
Did the Payran project end flooding in Petaluma?
It reduced risk in that reach. The city still maps flood-prone areas and patrols them during storms.
When does Petaluma usually flood?
The floodplain summary says floods typically occur between December and March.