For Immediate Release –
San Rafael, CA –
Seasonal tide levels could impact areas with history of localized flooding
Seasonal high tides can cause flooding along shoreline communities and low-lying roads in Marin County. Tide-related flooding can happen whether it is raining or not, but the flooding can increase significantly if the elevated tides occur during a storm, potentially impacting commute times and travel plans.
Based on tide predictions[External] published by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration[External] (NOAA), tide levels that could be high enough to cause roadway flooding in coastal and bayside areas of Marin are expected October 28-30, November 24-28, December 11-15 and 23-27, and January 9-13. If a storm happens during those times, it can cause tidal surges and push water levels significantly higher than predicted.
Coastal communities and areas historically susceptible to flooding have a higher chance of being impacted. That tends to be most prevalent in areas of Marin where signs of sea level rise are already causing tidal flooding issues during seasonal king tides. Some of those locations are North San Pedro Road through China Camp in unincorporated San Rafael, Greenwood Cove Drive in Tiburon, Lucky Drive in Greenbrae, Redwood Highway at Greenbrae Boardwalk, Marin City, and the Manzanita Park & Ride lot near Tam Junction.
The Marin County Department of Public Works (DPW) and the Marin County Flood Control and Water Conservation District are urging residents and visitors to be aware of the predicted seasonal high tides. Drivers should allow extra time for trips and should be prepared to use alternative routes to avoid localized flooding on roadways. Travelers should always avoid driving through standing water, as even six inches of depth can stall a vehicle.
Residents are encouraged to plan ahead and take action on their own property to help reduce flood risk. In advance of storms, residents should clear dead leaves from driveway pipes, rooftop gutters, and storm drains on their private property. Dead foliage needs to be placed in compost bins, not put in streets where it will clog neighborhood drainage systems. Those living in flood-prone areas should test their sump pumps and stock up on sandbags (available at most hardware stores), as well as learn how to properly use[External] them prior to storms. Additionally, ReadyMarin.org[External] provides detailed resources, including emergency grab-and-go packing checklists, that can be helpful for residents to prepare for the unexpected.
The following list shows predicted high tides at or above 6.4 feet (rounded up to the nearest tenth) from October 2023 through January 2024 at the NOAA San Francisco tide gauge[External].
2023:
- Oct 28, 11:28 AM, 6.5 feet
- Oct 29, 12:02 PM, 6.6 feet
- Oct 30, 12:37 PM, 6.5 feet
- Nov 24, 8:41 AM, 6.4 feet
- Nov 25, 9:16 AM, 6.6 feet
- Nov 26, 9:52 AM, 6.7 feet
- Nov 27, 10:28 AM, 6.7 feet
- Nov 28, 11:05 AM, 6.5 feet
- Dec 11, 9:24 AM, 6.4 feet
- Dec 12, 10:01 AM, 6.6 feet
- Dec 13, 10:42 AM, 6.7 feet
- Dec 14, 11:26 AM, 6.6 feet
- Dec 15, 12:14 PM, 6.5 feet
- Dec 23, 8:05 AM, 6.6 feet
- Dec 24, 8:46 AM, 6.7 feet
- Dec 25, 9:26 AM, 6.7 feet
- Dec 26, 10:07 AM, 6.6 feet
- Dec 27, 10:46 AM, 6.4 feet
2024:
- Jan 9, 08:55 AM, 6.6 feet
- Jan 10, 09:42 AM, 6.8 feet
- Jan 11, 10:30 AM, 6.9 feet
- Jan 12, 11:19 AM, 6.9 feet
- Jan 13, 12:10 PM, 6.6 feet
Travelers can check 511.org[External] for latest traffic and transit information. During storm events, DPW’s X account (Twitter[External]), Marin County Sheriff’s Office’s X account[External], the California Highway Patrol (CHP) traffic website and CHP Marin’s X account[External] are all excellent resources for travelers and residents looking for updates. Another resource is the Marin County emergency portal, which provides a range on helpful information and links. Additionally, weather gauges showing rainfall can be viewed in real-time at Marin County’s OneRain webpage.
Contact:
Berenice Davidson
Assistant Director
Public Works
3501 Civic Center Drive.
#304
San Rafael, CA 94903