The Great Flood of 1862

The Great Flood of 1862 was a devastating weather event that caused widespread flooding across California. Heavy rainfall and melting snow from the Sierra Nevada overwhelmed rivers, particularly the Sacramento and San Joaquin, leading to their overflow. This flood submerged large areas of farmland, towns, and transportation routes, displacing thousands of people and causing significant economic damage. It was one of the largest floods in California's history and had lasting impacts on the state's development and infrastructure planning.