Heavy rain, king tide transform California streets into rivers

King tides trigger highest flooding in decades across the San Francisco Bay Area, isolating roads and prompting rescues of residents stranded in vehicles.

Heavy rain and unusually high "king tides" have caused widespread flooding across California's San Francisco Bay Area. As of 4/1, five northern counties remained under flood advisories, with up to 7,6 cm of additional rain expected by tonight in areas experiencing continuous inundation since Christmas. Mountainous regions have also seen at least 30 cm of snowfall.

This phenomenon, known as a king tide, represents the year's highest tidal surge in a coastal area. Floodwaters in San Francisco during this event reached 60 cm on 3/1, marking the highest level since 1998.

Residents kayak on flooded streets in Mill Valley, California. Photo: AFP.

"This is near record levels for the San Francisco Bay Area", Kachel Kennedy, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service (NWS), told SF Gate.

Flooding has been reported across Marin, Sonoma, Alameda, San Mateo, and San Francisco counties, severely impacting daily life. On 3/1, the San Francisco Fire Department rescued one resident clinging to a rope in the floodwaters. Many people navigated the submerged streets in kayaks, while others waded through knee-deep water. Numerous oto were stranded in floods ranging from 90 to 120 cm deep.

A woman carries her child through floodwaters in Sausalito, California, on 2/1. Photo: AP.

Residents expressed shock at the severity. "I have seen king tides before, but I have never seen the water rise this high. Never", said Jeremy Hager, a San Rafael resident. Julia Pfahl, 36, an employee at a local surf shop, described the scene to the San Francisco Chronicle: "This is the worst I have ever seen it. Everyone was panicking, no one knew how to drive. I saw a car submerged up to its windows near the Holiday Inn hotel."

The heavy rain also inundated the runway at Santa Barbara County in the south, leading to the cancellation of all flights to and from the airport. Northern and southern California are expected to experience more rain in the coming days. Collin McCarthy, a storm tracker, noted on X: "Millions of people in California are experiencing one of the wettest winter starts in history."