The Salinas Watsonville growing region was beset by significant amounts of rain recently, so it was time to go out and have a look. According to UC Ag and Natural Resources, the fruit is being thrown away instead of being put into clamshells and boxes for shipping.
Much of the damage in the pictures below has to do with “water soaking”, meaning the riper fruit has pulled water into itself via osmotic pressure and the extra water coming in so quick has subsequently burst the epidermis. A general rule of thumb is that most varieties of strawberry can take up to 1/2 inch of water before they manifest “water soaking” damage, so the berries around here which were subjected to 1 1/2 inches of water didn’t stand a chance.