CORTE MADERA, Calif. (AP) — Crews are scrambling to clear mud from vital California highways as fresh thunderstorms loom, following heavy downpours and king tides that have led to significant flooding and road closures. Rescues were also conducted for individuals trapped in vehicles caught in floodwaters.
Currently, five northern counties remain under a flood watch as the National Weather Service reports that up to three inches (7.6 cm) of rain may fall by Monday night, adding to the already saturated ground that has experienced intermittent rain since Christmas. Snow accumulation is also anticipated, with over a foot (.3 meters) forecasted in higher elevations.
In the San Francisco Bay Area, water levels are gradually receding after extensive flooding closed critical routes including those between Sausalito and San Rafael. The flooding coincided with unusually high king tides, occurrences when the moon is positioned closer to Earth, intensifying its gravitational influence and resulting in severe tidal shifts.
Many local residents have resorted to kayaking through flooded streets, while others navigate floodwaters that reach up to their knees, necessitating the assistance of local authorities like Marin County Sheriff’s Sgt. Michael Dobbins when vehicles succumbed to the rising waters.
Despite the retreat of the king tides, the threat of lingering thunderstorms persists throughout the weekend, potentially exacerbating conditions in low-lying areas. The Bay Area weather service has advised drivers to proceed with caution and to plan for delays.
Settlements across Marin, Sonoma, Alameda, San Mateo, and San Francisco counties reported varying incidences of flooding, with Santa Barbara County also reopening significant roads after mitigating mudslides. Tragically, a man lost his life during the storm while being swept into a creek.
After a predominantly dry autumn, California's new winter storms have transitioned the region into an extraordinarily wet season, marking the wettest holiday period in recent years.
