Fresno Water Damage Restoration, Repair and Flood Cleanup

How Fresno Handles Rain: Basins, Pipes and Dams

Fresno averages about 10.99 inches of precipitation a year, with January and February usually the wettest months. That is not much rain, but it tends to come in a few winter storms, and the city has built an unusual system to deal with it.

The Fresno Metropolitan Flood Control District manages runoff across a 399-square-mile watershed between the Kings and San Joaquin Rivers. Its network includes three dams protecting the Fresno and Clovis urban area, seven large detention basins, more than 700 miles of pipeline and more than 150 stormwater retention basins. Nearly 100 of those basins connect to the Fresno Irrigation District to recharge groundwater, and many double as parks.

The system is designed to prevent property damage, but no network catches everything. During heavy bursts, water can pond in low streets, run off driveways into garages and find its way under doors. Knowing how water moves around your block is the first step in limiting damage.

Lessons From the San Joaquin River

The region's flood history goes back to the early settlement era. On December 24, 1867, the San Joaquin River flooded and inundated Millerton, which was then the county seat. Friant Dam, completed in 1944, created Millerton Lake upstream and submerged the old town site.

Across the Central Valley, NWS flood guidance points to three recurring threats for levee-protected land: high rivers, levee failures and spring snowmelt. During the series of atmospheric rivers that struck California between late December 2022 and mid-January 2023, evacuations were ordered in nearby Merced because Bear Creek overflowed.

The flood control district runs a Dam Emergency Hotline at (559) 628-3267 and a dam safety and preparedness site that explains what to do if a dam emergency is announced.

Indoor Leaks Are the Everyday Risk

Most water damage repair in Fresno starts inside the home, not with a storm. Common sources include:

• Water heaters that rust through or fail at a fitting
• Burst or loose supply lines at toilets, sinks, ice makers and washing machines
• Air conditioning condensate lines that clog during the long cooling season
• Roof leaks that appear once winter rain finally arrives
• Sewer backups, which bring contaminated water and need special handling

If you spot a leak, shut off the water and call (888) 817-5061. The line is answered day or night, and we will connect you with a local professional who can start water extraction and drying.

Before the Restoration Crew Arrives

1. Stop the source at the fixture valve or the main shutoff.
2. Put safety ahead of belongings. Stay clear of water near outlets and appliances, and only switch off breakers if you can do it from a dry place.
3. Identify the water. Water from a supply line starts out as Category 1, but it degrades the longer it sits in carpet and walls. Sewage and outdoor floodwater (Category 3) should not be handled without protection.
4. Record the damage with photos and video, including the source and any affected belongings.
5. Lift and move furniture, rugs and electronics away from wet areas where it is safe to do so.
6. Tell your landlord or insurer as soon as possible.

With more than half of Fresno's housing units renter-occupied, many losses involve two parties. Tenants should report the problem in writing and keep copies of photos. Owners and managers should coordinate quickly so drying is not delayed.

Inside a Professional Dry-Out

Water damage restoration in Fresno follows the same basic stages most local providers use across the valley.

Water removal

Extraction units lift standing water from carpet, pad and hard floors, which shortens every step that follows.

Moisture inspection

Meters and thermal cameras map wet drywall, baseboards and subfloors, including spots you cannot see.

Drying

Dehumidifiers and air movers are set up and checked until materials reach dry targets. See how structural drying works.

Repairs

After the structure tests dry, damaged drywall, flooring and cabinets are replaced. Our water damage repair page outlines what that phase involves.

Ask the company you hire about licensing, insurance and training such as IICRC certification.

Storm Runoff and Flood Cleanup in the Valley

When outside water reaches the house, treat it as contaminated. Flood cleanup in Fresno usually means removing soaked drywall, insulation and carpet, cleaning and disinfecting surfaces, and then drying the framing. Garages, which often sit lower than the living space, are a common entry point.

Storm damage cleanup may also include roof tarping, removing debris and drying attics after wind-driven rain. Learn more about flood cleanup and storm damage cleanup.

On the insurance side, the California Department of Insurance notes that homeowners policies do not include flood, mudslide or debris flow coverage. A new NFIP flood policy generally takes effect 30 days after purchase, so plan ahead of the rainy season.

Mold After a Leak, and California's Rules

Damp drywall, carpet pad and wood can start growing mold in as little as 24 to 48 hours, based on EPA guidance. Fresno's winter tule fog and cool, damp days can slow drying of exterior walls and crawlspaces, while hidden leaks indoors can feed growth all year.

For licensing, an industry roundup of state rules reports that California has no state license specifically for mold assessors or remediators. Sacramento passed the Toxic Mold Protection Act back in 2001, which told the state health department to study mold and develop standards, yet no statewide licensing program for mold work has been identified. Mold removal in Fresno that involves construction still falls under Contractors State License Board rules.

Since January 1, 2025, a CSLB license is required for jobs of $1,000 or more in labor and materials, or for any job needing a permit. Verify a company on the CSLB license lookup. Read more about mold cleanup.

Apartments, Businesses and Multi-Unit Buildings

A leak in one apartment can spread to the units below or beside it. Property managers should check neighboring units quickly and keep a single record of moisture readings and photos for each one. Offices, shops and warehouses face the same process at a larger scale, often with a need to keep operating during drying.

Call (888) 817-5061 to be connected with a local restoration company that handles residential or commercial jobs. If you manage property elsewhere in the valley, see our pages for Modesto and Bakersfield. Report city issues such as street ponding through FresGO 3-1-1.

Fresno Neighborhoods and Surrounding Towns

Our free referral line connects callers in Fresno and nearby Fresno County communities with independent local restoration companies.

Neighborhoods

• Downtown
• Tower District
• Fig Garden
• Old Fig Garden
• Sunnyside
• Woodward Park
• Chinatown
• Roeding Park area

Nearby communities

• Clovis
• Sanger
• Selma
• Kerman
• Reedley
• Fowler
• Kingsburg
• Madera
• Mendota
• Orange Cove

Local emergency and flood resources

Official sources for alerts, flood maps and preparedness in and around Fresno:

• City of Fresno - Prepare
• City of Fresno 3-1-1 (FresGO)
• Fresno Metropolitan Flood Control District
• FMFCD Dam Safety & Preparedness