St. Mary's County's largest community grew up where Route 4 meets Route 235, at the foot of the narrow Governor Thomas Johnson Bridge that carries traffic across the Patuxent River to Solomons. Over the past few decades the area has shifted from farming and Chesapeake fishing to jobs tied to Naval Air Station Patuxent River and St. Mary's College of Maryland, and the census counted 12,947 residents here in 2020. About 2 of its 15 square miles are water, much of it the broad lower Patuxent and the creeks that feed it.
The Restoration Job is a free connection service and does not perform restoration itself. Call (888) 317-9980 at any time and we'll connect you with an independent restoration provider that serves California, MD, and the surrounding county.
How the call works: when you call (888) 317-9980, The Restoration Job connects you with an independent restoration provider that serves California. That provider inspects the damage, explains the scope and quotes the work. The Restoration Job doesn't perform restoration itself. Read our referral disclosure.
Living Along the Lower Patuxent
By the time the Patuxent passes California it is wide and tidal, only a short run from the Chesapeake Bay. Waterfront homes and lots along the river and its coves face a different set of risks than houses up on the ridge near the shopping centers. Strong northeast winds and tropical systems can push water up the river, waves can undercut bulkheads and piers, and wind-driven rain hits shoreline houses harder than sheltered inland ones.
St. Mary's County's clay-and-sand bluffs protect parts of the shoreline from surge, but low-lying coastal areas remain vulnerable. If your property touches the water, look up its flood zone on the Maryland Department of the Environment's mapping site and keep a separate flood policy in mind, since homeowners coverage generally excludes rising water. After saltwater or river water enters a home, flood cleanup normally involves cutting out wet drywall and insulation above the waterline and disinfecting what remains.
Isabel and the Storms That Shaped the River Shore
Hurricane Isabel on September 18, 2003, remains the benchmark storm for this stretch of the bay. In St. Mary's County, about 2,500 wharves and piers were destroyed and roughly 27,000 residents lost power. Directly across the river in Calvert County, the surge wrecked the pier at Solomons Island and heavily damaged buildings there.
A storm does not have to be named to cause trouble. Nor'easters can stall offshore for days, and summer thunderstorms bring short bursts of very heavy rain. Long outages after any of them knock out sump pumps and air conditioning, which is when a damp lower level turns into a wet one.
Newer Subdivisions and Commercial Corridors
As local jobs shifted toward the air station, the community grew; it had 5,330 housing units in 2020. Newer homes bring their own common leak sources: ice maker and dishwasher lines, attic air handlers with condensate pans that overflow when a drain clogs, and second-floor laundry rooms where a failed hose can reach the kitchen ceiling below within minutes.
Shops, offices and restaurants along Route 235 face roof drain and flat-roof leaks after heavy rain, plus the occasional sprinkler line break. Business owners should document the damage before cleanup begins and contact both the landlord and their own insurer. For a large commercial loss, ask the provider about water extraction capacity and after-hours work so the space can reopen sooner.
Practical Steps Before the Crew Arrives
- Close the main shutoff valve, or the valve on the failed fixture if you know which one it is.
- Switch off breakers for any room with standing water, but only if the panel is in a dry spot.
- On waterfront lots, wait until the tide and wind subside before entering flooded lower levels.
- Take wide photos and close-ups of every affected room and item.
- Throw out food, medicine or cosmetics that river or floodwater touched.
For a single-family home in California, MD, a provider will usually set equipment the first day and return daily to check moisture readings. Neighbors in Lexington Park rely on many of the same providers.
Damp Summers and Mold Along the River
River humidity, warm summers and closed-up houses with the air conditioning running hard all add up to moisture problems. Crawl spaces near the water, finished lower levels and HVAC closets are common places for mold to show up after a leak. Drying must be verified with a meter; a surface that feels dry can still hide wet framing. Where growth is extensive, mold remediation should include containment and removal of affected materials, not just a spray treatment.
Where Callers in the California Area Are
The same line also serves nearby communities such as:
- Lexington Park
- Hollywood
- Leonardtown
- Great Mills
- Solomons
Frequently Asked Questions
Is California, MD, in a flood zone?
Most of the community sits on higher ground, about 108 feet above sea level at its center, but land along the Patuxent River and its tidal creeks can fall within mapped flood zones. Flood risk varies lot by lot. The Maryland Department of the Environment's flood map site lets you look up a specific address, and your insurance agent can explain what a separate flood policy would cover.
Who should I call about a water main or sewer problem on my street?
Report public road, water and sewer problems through St. Mary's County's 311 service request system. Inside your home, problems from the point where your service line connects are generally the owner's responsibility. If sewage has backed up into the house, keep people and pets away and ask a restoration provider about contaminated-water cleanup procedures.
Can a provider handle water damage on a boathouse or pier structure?
Restoration providers focus on buildings: houses, garages, offices and similar structures. Docks, piers and bulkheads usually need a marine contractor, and shoreline work in Maryland can require permits. A restoration provider can still dry out a boathouse loft or a waterside cottage with a finished interior, so describe the structure clearly when you call.