CORTE MADERA, Calif. (AP) — Heavy rains believed to be the worst in two decades and high tides caused flooding in parts of Northern California on Saturday, closing roads and rescuing residents trapped in their cars.
A downpour that coincided with a record-breaking “king tide” flooded a 15-mile (24-kilometer) stretch of road from the Sausalito area to San Rafael, Marin County Sheriff’s Sgt. Michael Dobbins said.
He said there were no reports of injuries, but authorities were called in to assist when cars became trapped in floodwaters of up to three to four feet (1.1 and 1.2 metres).
“There’s a lot of water on the roads,” Dobbins said, adding that tides were reported to be the highest in more than two decades. “Combined with the heavy rain, it creates the perfect storm for flooding in the streets.”
Authorities in communities near San Francisco asked residents to stay home as much as possible until floodwaters recede. Some residents kayaked along the usual city streets. Others waded through water up to their knees.
A flood warning is in effect for the San Francisco area until 2 p.m. Saturday and until 2 p.m. Sunday, according to the National Weather Service in San Francisco.
King tides occur when the Sun, Moon, and Earth are aligned, and the Moon is at its closest position to the Earth, creating a stronger gravitational pull.
