Corte Madera, Calif. — Crews are working diligently to clear mud from major highways in California as meteorologists issue warnings for more thunderstorms following a series of heavy downpours and abnormal high tides. The National Weather Service's Eureka office has advised that five counties in northern California remain under a flood watch, predicting additional rainfall of up to three inches through Monday night in areas that have already faced persistent wet weather since Christmas. Meteorologists expect at least a foot of snow in mountainous regions as well.
While waters began to recede in regions south of the San Francisco Bay Area, locals encountered unprecedented flooding conditions. Roads from Sausalito to San Rafael experienced extensive flooding during the heavy rainfall, exacerbated by 'king tides', which occur when the moon is closest to Earth, generating high gravitational pulls.
Residents reported unique scenes amid the deluge; some chose to kayak along submerged streets, while others waded through water levels reaching up to four feet. Authorities reported numerous rescues as several motorists found themselves trapped in vehicles engulfed by floodwaters.
I've lived through these king tides before, but I've never seen it this high. Never, stated Jeremy Hager from San Rafael in an interview with KTVU-TV.
As conditions improve slowly, lingering thunderstorms may pose additional risks to low-lying areas, prompting the Bay Area Weather Service to caution motorists to drive carefully. Meanwhile, areas in southern Santa Barbara County have started to recover, with a crucial highway reopening after recent mudslides caused roadblocks. However, a tragic report emerged as authorities confirmed a victim swept away in a creek during the storm.
California, after experiencing a notably dry autumn, has faced a barrage of winter storms, marking one of the wettest holiday seasons in recent memory, raising ongoing concerns about the resilience of the state's infrastructure and emergency preparedness.
While waters began to recede in regions south of the San Francisco Bay Area, locals encountered unprecedented flooding conditions. Roads from Sausalito to San Rafael experienced extensive flooding during the heavy rainfall, exacerbated by 'king tides', which occur when the moon is closest to Earth, generating high gravitational pulls.
Residents reported unique scenes amid the deluge; some chose to kayak along submerged streets, while others waded through water levels reaching up to four feet. Authorities reported numerous rescues as several motorists found themselves trapped in vehicles engulfed by floodwaters.
I've lived through these king tides before, but I've never seen it this high. Never, stated Jeremy Hager from San Rafael in an interview with KTVU-TV.
As conditions improve slowly, lingering thunderstorms may pose additional risks to low-lying areas, prompting the Bay Area Weather Service to caution motorists to drive carefully. Meanwhile, areas in southern Santa Barbara County have started to recover, with a crucial highway reopening after recent mudslides caused roadblocks. However, a tragic report emerged as authorities confirmed a victim swept away in a creek during the storm.
California, after experiencing a notably dry autumn, has faced a barrage of winter storms, marking one of the wettest holiday seasons in recent memory, raising ongoing concerns about the resilience of the state's infrastructure and emergency preparedness.
