1955 Yuba–Sutter floods
A destroyed home in Yuba City following the floods | |
| Date | December 16–25, 1955 |
|---|---|
| Location | North and Central California |
| Cause | Levee failure and heavy rain |
| Deaths | 74 deaths, >4,325 injuries |
| Property damage | >$150 million (1955 USD) |
From December 16 to 25, 1955, a devastating flood event struck portions of California, located in the United States. The floods, which were triggered by heavy rainfall and a levee break on the Feather River, resulted in the direct deaths of 74 people and left damages that totaled an estimated $150 million (1955 USD); they were one of the costliest flooding event ever recorded in the state of California. The floods are commonly known as the Yuba–Sutter floods due to the areas where extensive damage was produced, notably in Yuba and Sutter counties.
The floods were described as "the worst in the history of northern California"; thousands of people were forced to evacuate due to the flooding. The floods have been compared to those that happened in 1986 and 1997. Recovery and rescue efforts were widespread with over 2,000 volunteers working to help repair leaking levees and helicopters transporting residents away from flooded areas, notably Yuba City.