Storm water damage here means rain that came in from above or sideways, not water rising from the ground. Atmospheric river storms push rain hard against the west and south walls, and older window frames, sliding door tracks and stucco cracks let it in. It often shows up days later as a stain or a damp baseboard.
Tracing the water
Rain that gets past a window flashing runs down inside the wall and soaks the bottom plate and the carpet edge. The crew scans walls with a thermal camera and confirms with a pin meter, so the drying covers the hidden wet zone and not just the visible stain.
Storm water versus flood
Rain coming in through the building is usually Category 1 or 2 and can often be dried in place. Water rising from the creek or the street is Category 3 and is handled as flood damage cleanup. The difference matters for both the scope and the insurance claim.
