On Saturday, parts of Northern California faced major flooding as heavy rains coincided with unusually high tidal activity, believed to be the strongest in two decades. The Marin County region, spanning approximately 15 miles from Sausalito to San Rafael, saw numerous roadways submerged under several feet of water.
Sgt. Michael Dobbins of the Marin County Sheriff’s Office reported that emergency teams responded to numerous incidents involving vehicles trapped in water estimated between three to four feet deep. "The water levels on the streets are significant," he remarked, pointing out that these tides are the highest recorded in over twenty years. "The simultaneous occurrence of intense rainfall alongside these King Tides created optimal conditions for flooding across local roads."
Residents in the affected northern suburbs of San Francisco were advised by local officials to avoid travel until waters recede. In some areas, individuals resorted to maneuvering through the flooded streets using kayaks, while others navigated on foot through water rising above knee level.
The National Weather Service issued a flood warning for the San Francisco vicinity effective until 2 p.m. on Saturday, followed by a flood advisory extending through 2 p.m. Sunday. Meteorologists anticipate additional waves of rainfall within California over Sunday and Monday.
Further south, Santa Barbara County experienced similar weather-related difficulties. Several roadways were closed as a result of flooding, and mudslides obstructed a major highway near Goleta. Tragically, the county sheriff’s office confirmed the death of a man who was swept into a creek amid the storm conditions.
These King Tides, characterized by the alignment of the sun, moon, and Earth with the moon at its closest proximity to Earth, lead to amplified gravitational forces that elevate sea levels beyond usual extents.