The damage and deaths from the 1862 Megaflood in California changed California from a Ranching state to Agriculture State

 

• Economic impact:
  • Deaths: An estimated 4,000 people died.
  • Cattle: 200,000 cattle (25% of the state's total) drowned or starved.
  • Property: One-third of California's property was destroyed, and the state became bankrupt, with employees unpaid for 18 months.
• Other impacts:
  • Significant damage was caused to farms, towns, and mining operations.
  • In Los Angeles, 66 inches of rain fell in 1862, more than four times the average, causing widespread destruction.
  • The disaster significantly altered California's economy from ranching to agriculture. 

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