By Burnett Munthali
A perfect storm of heavy rain and high tides, believed to be the most severe in two decades, wrought havoc on Northern California on Saturday, causing widespread flooding and prompting desperate rescues.
The deluge submerged roadways through a 24-kilometer stretch from Sausalito to San Rafael, trapping cars and forcing authorities to spring into action, with Marin County Sheriff’s Sgt. Michael Dobbins reporting floodwaters as high as three and four feet.
No injuries were reported, but the sheer volume of water made it impossible for vehicles to navigate, prompting officials to urge residents to stay indoors until the waters recede.
As the city streets turned into rivers, some residents kayaked through what were normally bustling roads, while others waded through knee-deep water, highlighting the unpredictable nature of Mother Nature.
The National Weather Service issued a flood warning for the San Francisco area until 2 p.m. Saturday, with an advisory extending until 2 p.m. Sunday, warning of repeated rounds of rain expected throughout the state.
The “King Tides,” occurring when the sun, moon, and Earth align, created a stronger gravitational pull, exacerbating the flooding.
The aftermath saw road closures, including a key highway blocked near Goleta due to mudslides, and tragically, a man swept into a creek in Santa Barbara County, resulting in a fatality.
