List of California hurricanes

Since 1854, at least 106 tropical cyclones affected the U . state of California, including a hurricane in 1858 that produced hurricane-force winds near San Diego. This averages to roughly once a year, although events are more likely during El Niño events. Although storms have occurred as early as June and as late as October, they are most likely during the month of September. Due to cold sea surface temperatures and the typical track of most Pacific hurricanes, there has only been one recorded landfall of a tropical storm in the state – a storm in 1939 that hit Los Angeles, killing 45 people after catching many residents off guard. There have been at least 13 other deadly tropical cyclones affecting California. Typically, the greatest threat to California from tropical cyclones is rainfall, which can cause flash flooding when the precipitation accumulates quickly enough. Former Hurricane Kathleen in 1976 produced 14 inches (375 mm) of rainfall along Mount San Gorgonio, which was the highest precipitation in the state related to an Atlantic or Pacific hurricane. Kathleen killed at least nine people in the state from heavy rainfall, with severe flooding affecting the city of Ocotillo. On some occasions, tropical cyclones have dropped the equivalent to a year's worth of rainfall, particularly in the deserts of southern California. California occasionally experiences high surf and rip currents from distant but powerful hurricanes, such as Hurricane Guillermo in 1997, which killed a swimmer in Orange County. Although the state does not usually suffer from high winds, there have been eight tropical cyclones that have brought gale-force winds to California since 1850, including the hurricane of 1858 and the 1939 tropical storm. Those include the remnants of Tropical Storm Jennifer-Katherine in 1963, Hurricane Emily in 1965, and Hurricane Joanne in 1972. Tropical Storm Nora in 1997 entered the state, producing gale-force winds and heavy rainfall that led to four traffic deaths. The remnants of Hurricane Kay in 2022 produced flooding and 100 mph (160 km/h) wind gusts across southern California, killing one person. In August 2023, the remnants of Hurricane Hilary produced 87 mph (140 km/h) winds along with heavy rainfall, with floods killing one person. Most recently, floods triggered by Tropical Storm Mario in 2025 killed one person.