Marin County Flooded: King Tides and Storm Surge Hit Bay Area

Marin County is facing significant flooding as king tides and storm surges impact the Bay Area. Flooding was reported Friday, affecting areas near Lucky Drive and Dougherty Drive, close to Larkspur and Corte Madera. Footage captured from a helicopter showed the extent of the inundation about noon.

Efforts to mitigate the flooding are underway. Employees at the Fitness SF gym in Corte Madera were observed using buckets to remove water from the flooded establishment. The gym announced on social media that it would close temporarily due to the severe conditions.

Coastal Flood Warnings Issued

The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a Coastal Flood Warning for Marin County and surrounding areas. The warning is in effect from 7 a.m. Friday until 2 p.m. Saturday. This warning affects the shoreline and the interior valleys of the North Bay.

Flood Advisory and Impact

Additionally, a Coastal Flood Advisory is in place for coastal regions spanning from Sonoma to Monterey counties. The advisory will remain active until 2 p.m. Sunday.

• High tides are predicted to reach:
• 2.2 feet above normal by Friday at 9:34 a.m.
• 2.5 feet above normal by Saturday at 10:26 a.m.
• 1.9 feet above normal by Sunday at 11:18 a.m.
• Condition warnings include:
• Inundation of low-lying areas by up to 2.5 feet.
• Closure of numerous roads.
• Potential shoreline erosion.

The predicted surge is attributed to king tides, which are some of the highest tides of the year. These tides coincide with the full moon and the perihelion, when Earth is closest to the Sun. Additionally, the forecast indicates a potential storm surge of up to 1.3 feet, further compounding the tidal impact.

Storm Forecast

A strong storm system is expected to arrive Friday night, bringing heavy rains and strong winds to the region. The NWS predicts sustained winds of 15 to 25 mph, with gusts reaching up to 50 mph in coastal and elevated areas. Rainfall is anticipated to be around ½ inch overnight, with the coastal mountains potentially receiving up to 3 inches.

A Wind Advisory was issued for areas including the North Bay mountains and coastal regions but was lifted early Saturday due to diminishing wind speeds.

Residents and businesses are urged to remain vigilant as these severe weather conditions unfold in Marin County and across the Bay Area.