There have been multiple floods recorded in the city of Santa Cruz according to the Santa Cruz Public Libraries. This is a list of recorded floods happening in the San Lorenzo River in the city of Santa Cruz:
| 1852 | unknown | Said to be 3 feet lower than 1862 flood. |
| 1862 | Jan. 11 | est. 16 ft. above sea level at Water St. Said to be equal to the height of the 1871 flood, though more destructive due to erosion. |
| 1871 | Dec. 23 | 16.03 ft. at the Water St. bridge. |
| 1878 | Feb. 14 | 14.61 ft. |
| 1880 | Apr. 21 | 15.11 ft. |
| 1881 | Jan. 29 | 15.41 ft. |
| 1889 | Dec. 8 | 14.31 ft. |
| 1890 | Jan. 25 | 16.35 ft. |
| 1895 | Jan. 4 | 16.00 ft. (est.) |
| 1907 | Mar. 27 | 15.74 ft. |
| 1911 | Jan. 14 | 14.69 ft. at Water St. |
| 1931 | Dec. 28 | Unknown. Sand island in river submerged. |
| 1938 | Jan. 31 | Unknown. Called "Worst Flood in 15 Years." |
| 1940 | Feb. 27 | 17.41 ft. at Water St., 24,000 c.f.s. at Felton. |
| 1941 | Feb. 9 | 15.30 ft. at Water St., 15,500 c.f.s. at Felton |
| 1945 | Feb. 1 | 15.70 ft. at Water St. |
| 1955 | Dec. 23 | 20.8 ft. at Water St., initially reported as 28,800 c.f.s. at Felton, later reported as 30,400 c.f.s. Estimated at 39,000 c.f.s. below Branciforte Creek in Santa Cruz, where 3/4 of 100-year flood plain (410 acres) inundated. |
| 1958 | Apr. 2 | "...past the 14 foot flood stage" at Water St., 17,200 c.f.s. Felton, 18,500 c.f.s. Santa Cruz. |
| 1982 | Jan. 4 | 18.0 ft. at Water St., 29,700 c.f.s at Felton, 33,000 c.f.s. in Santa Cruz, below Branciforte Creek. |
As stated in the Santa Cruz Libraries, "to quote from an Army Corps of Engineers report of 1982, 'Historically, the San Lorenzo River has frequently flooded and caused substantial damages. Peak flows occur when a short-duration, intense storm follows a longer period of heavy rainfall which saturates the soil.' "
To help improve the safety of floods, funding for a flood control project was provided by the U.S. Congress in the mid-1950's. Many buildings and trees were removed to create a channel that was designed to hold a "100 year flood." However, there were problems to this channel such as build up silt and the reduction of wild life fish in the San Lorenzo river.
To improve on flood safety according to the Santa Cruz Public Libraries, "in 1987, the City of Santa Cruz issued the San Lorenzo River Design Concept Plan, which contained the elements previously described to enhance the flood protection and environmental quality of the river, and to enhance the visual and recreational value of the river in town. Work has begun with the rebuilding of the Water St. and Riverside Ave. bridges, and hopefully it will continue in the next few years to achieve the twin goals of ensuring adequate flood protection for a 100-year event, and restoring some of the aesthetic qualities the river possessed before 1959. The scenic and recreational parts of the plan involve the construction of amphitheaters, the improvement of access from town, walkways along the river, and the encouragement of recreation-oriented businesses in the proximity of the river. Plans also call for the planting of trees both atop and within the levees, in a design that will enhance the beauty of the river and provide the shade necessary for vigorous fish life, while not causing problems at times of peak water flow."
Contributed by Marie Kern
There are several Santa Cruz companies that specialize in restoration for natural disasters. These companies perform services ranging from fire damage repair to water damage repair. Here is a webpage that lists their top companies for these services:
http://www.primebuyersreport.org/ca/santa-cruz-county-ca-fire-water-damage-contractors.html
Many of these companies are available 24/7 for any emergencies that may come up. In the case of a flood, a company will come and use "advanced inspection and extraction equipment to find the water and remove it as quickly as possible" (Taken from ServPro's website). To give an example, from personal experience, when my friend's house had a pipe break, a company came with 8-10 dehumidifiers and driers, tore out the carpet, and kept the equipment on for a few days until the house was safe to live in again. Further details can be read here:
http://www.servprosantacruz.com/water-repair-process
Contributed by Derek Park
