Marin County flooding
Marin County Sheriff’s Sgt. Michael Dobbins said roadways through the affected 15-mile (24-kilometer) corridor were submerged after a downpour coincided with the record-breaking tidal surge. Authorities were called to assist when cars became stuck in water reaching 3 and 4 feet (1.1 and 1.2 meters) deep.
“There is a lot of water in the roadways,” Dobbins said. “Along with heavy rains, it just created the perfect storm for flooding on the streets.”
Dobbins said the tides were reportedly the highest in more than two decades. Authorities in the affected communities asked residents to stay home until waters receded.
Some residents kayaked along swamped streets while others waded through water above their knees, according to the Associated Press.
Weather warnings and forecasts
The National Weather Service issued a flood warning for the San Francisco area through 2 p.m. Saturday and a flood advisory through 2 p.m. Sunday. Repeated rounds of rain were expected throughout California on Sunday and Monday.
Santa Barbara County fatality and closures
To the south, Santa Barbara County authorities reported roads closed due to flooding and a key highway blocked near Goleta by a series of mudslides. A man died after being swept into a creek during the storm, the county sheriff’s office said.
What king tides are
King tides occur when the sun, moon and Earth are in alignment and the moon is at its closest position to Earth, producing a stronger gravitational pull and abnormally high tidal swells. When such tides coincide with significant rainfall, the combined effect can overwhelm drainage systems and swamp low-lying roadways.