In the San Francisco Bay Area and neighboring northern California regions, persistent winter storms have resulted in flooding, road closures, and emergency rescues, with additional rainfall expected. Crews have been actively removing mud from vital highways as the National Weather Service in Eureka issued flood watches for five northern counties, warning of up to three inches (7.6 cm) of rain possible through Monday night.
The impacted counties have been experiencing intermittent heavy precipitation since just before Christmas. Mountain regions are similarly affected, with forecasts predicting at least a foot (approximately 0.3 meters) of snow. Near the Bay Area, floodwaters are receding following significant inundation of roadways stretching from Sausalito to San Rafael, where intense rainfall coincided with record-breaking King Tides. These tides occur when the moon reaches its perigee—the closest point to Earth—resulting in an unusually strong gravitational pull that elevates sea levels.
Local residents in some areas have adapted to flooded streets with unusual modes of transportation, such as kayaking, while others have navigated waters reaching above knee level on foot. Marin County authorities have responded to situations where vehicles became immobilized in water depths of three to four feet (1.1 to 1.2 meters), according to Sheriff’s Sergeant Michael Dobbins.
Jeremy Hager of San Rafael remarked on the unprecedented water levels during these King Tides, emphasizing their extremity compared to previous years.
Further reports indicate flood conditions across Marin, Sonoma, Alameda, San Mateo, and San Francisco counties. With tides subsiding, lingering thunderstorms continue to pose additional flooding threats, particularly to low-lying localities. The Bay Area National Weather Service office has issued a cautionary advisory for drivers to reduce speed and allow extended travel time due to flooding and hazardous conditions.
In Southern California's Santa Barbara County, a significant highway near Goleta reopened Sunday after closure caused by mudslides earlier in the weekend. The sheriff’s office confirmed a fatality where a man was swept away by creek waters during the storm period. Local weather data reported over four inches (10 cm) of rainfall across parts of the county within two days.
California has endured a sequence of potent winter storms this season, culminating in its wettest holiday period in several years, despite a predominantly dry autumn. These conditions have intensified challenges for emergency response and infrastructure maintenance across affected areas.