Marin County’s facing that wild mix of king tides and winter storms again. It’s got folks along the Bay and coast dealing with floods that honestly, some say are the worst in decades.
This time around, it’s not just the tides. It’s the steady rain, the extra-high water, and those vulnerable spots like Corte Madera and Sausalito—places that always seem to get the worst of it.
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King Tides and Storms Push Marin County to the Brink
Across Marin, from Novato down to Mill Valley, people are glued to the water’s edge. King tides hit right as storms rolled in, and the ground’s already soaked, so there’s nowhere for all that water to go.
Low-lying neighborhoods along the Bay have taken the brunt of it. Right now, a Coastal Flood Warning is in place through Saturday afternoon, and officials say up to 2.5 feet of flooding could hit the most exposed areas.
Why King Tides Make Flooding Worse
Michael Beck from UC Santa Cruz’s Center for Coastal Climate Resilience says king tides are just part of the lunar cycle. But when storms pile on, things get ugly fast.
High tides block stormwater from draining into the Bay, so water just backs up into the streets and homes. It’s a simple equation, but the results are anything but.
Corte Madera Streets Turn Into Canals
Corte Madera’s become a poster child for this mess. NBC Bay Area’s aerial shots showed water everywhere—homes, businesses, you name it. Some folks even grabbed kayaks to get around.
Paradise Drive and Corte Madera Creek have always been flood-prone, but longtime residents say this time feels different—worse. Larkspur and Greenbrae aren’t faring much better, honestly.
Emergency Crews Remain on High Alert
Marin County Fire’s been out there, watching the situation and urging everyone to stay off flooded roads. They remind people that even shallow water can hide dangers for drivers and walkers alike.
Sausalito’s Gate 5 Road Floods Again
Gate 5 Road in Sausalito flooded—again. Residents and business owners had to evacuate, and some say they haven’t seen it this bad in over 20 years.
Businesses hustled to move gear and inventory. People headed for higher ground in the hills. Marin City’s dealing with similar chaos, and it’s clear how one flooded spot affects the whole area.
Businesses Count the Cost
Local businesses in Sausalito are feeling the hit, emotionally and financially. Insurance, cleanup, lost sales—it all adds up, and for small business owners, it’s getting harder to bounce back each time.
Coastal Communities Also at Risk
The Bay’s getting most of the attention, but the coast isn’t off the hook. There’s still a Coastal Flood Advisory through Sunday for spots like Dillon Beach and Stinson Beach.
Steep shorelines help a bit, but big waves and high tides still threaten roads and beach access. From Bolinas to Inverness, officials are telling everyone to stay alert for more surges this weekend.
What Residents Should Keep in Mind
Emergency officials have a few things they really want folks to remember as Marin County faces more storms:
Here is the source article for this story: King Tides causes major flooding in Marin County
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