Heavy rains and high tides have caused significant flooding across the Bay Area, leading to road closures and multiple rescues of individuals trapped in vehicles. The National Weather Service indicated that five northern counties are currently under a flood watch, with rainfall predictions estimating as much as 3 inches (7.6 centimeters) through Monday night. This deluge comes after weeks of intermittent rain since around Christmas. In mountainous regions, snowfall may exceed a foot (0.3 meters).
A notable king tide, marking the peak predicted tide of the year, elevated waters to 2.56 feet in San Francisco on Saturday, the highest level recorded since 1998. Meteorologist Rachel Kennedy stated that these conditions are nearing record levels for the San Francisco Bay Area.
As further rain is anticipated in northern California, the National Weather Service has issued a coastal flood advisory for the Bay Area that is effective until Monday afternoon. Reports from Saturday detailed rescue operations executed by the San Francisco fire department, where personnel saved an adult who was struggling in the water. Eyewitnesses described scenes of kayakers navigating the inundated streets and individuals wading through water that reached knee height. Marin County sheriff’s Sgt. Michael Dobbins noted that cars were inundated in up to 3 to 4 feet of water.
Residents expressed shock at the severity of the flooding. Jeremy Hager from San Rafael remarked on the unprecedented height of the tides. Colin McCarthy, a storm chaser, shared video footage of dramatic water flow in San Carlos, emphasizing the extreme conditions. Local shop employee Julia Pfahl highlighted the chaos, describing the panic among drivers encountering the flooding.
The flooding has not only impacted the Bay Area but also affected Southern California, where heavy rains triggered flooding and mudslides. In San Diego, hundreds were evacuated from a homeless shelter due to rising waters, and a man tragically lost his life after being swept into a creek during the storms. Meanwhile, a highway in Santa Barbara County, blocked by mudslides, was reopened over the weekend, although flights in and out of the local airport faced cancellations due to runway flooding.
As rainfall is forecasted to persist through Tuesday, it becomes evident that many areas in Southern California are experiencing one of the wettest starts to winter on record, as documented by McCarthy. The situation underscores the ongoing challenges posed by severe weather and the necessity for community preparedness and quick response efforts in the face of such natural events.