King Tides Renew Coastal Flooding Concerns In Marin

MARIN COUNTY, CA — A coastal flood advisory will be in place Wednesday morning along the shorelines of the North Bay and San Francisco Bay, thanks to the return of "king tides."

King tides are the nickname for the highest tides of the year, which occur when the Moon is closest to the Earth. At San Francisco's tide gauge, forecasters anticipate high tides will inch close to 7 feet by Thursday morning.

"Based on tide predictions published by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, tide levels that could be high enough to cause roadway flooding in parts of Marin, primarily coastal areas, are expected January 9 - 13, 2024," The Southern Marin Fire Protection District cautioned. "If a high tide coincides with a significant storm, a tidal surge can occur, causing higher than predicted water levels."

The fire district shared a few reminders for residents in at-risk areas, including moving vehicles to higher ground, transporting items stored in low-lying areas, like basements that have flooded in the past, and avoiding driving through flooded roadways.

The agency has more resources for flooding and winter storms, including where to stock up on sandbags, on its website.