UPDATE: Historic flooding has struck Marin County’s low-lying coastal areas as a combination of record king tides and a winter storm surge wreak havoc today, July 15, 2023. Key routes, including Highway 101 near Lucky Drive, were completely submerged, stranding vehicles for hours.
As the tide peaked just before noon, eastbound Highway 37 also faced closures due to significant flooding. By 2:30 PM, receding waters on Highway 101 allowed limited traffic to resume, but chaos continued in nearby areas like Corte Madera and Larkspur, where businesses and homes faced inundation for the second consecutive day.
Laine Hendricks, a spokeswoman for Marin County, reported widespread flooding: “We are seeing a significant amount of flooding throughout the county, especially in the Canal neighborhood of San Rafael and North San Pedro Road in Santa Venetia.” The Gate 5 neighborhood in northern Sausalito and multi-use pathways into Mill Valley were also affected, with police closures in place.
Emergency alerts flooded community phones as around 1,500 homes in Tiburon and Marin City lost power for hours due to the deluge. Hendricks highlighted the damage, stating, “The levee near Vendola Drive in Santa Venetia was damaged by flood waters,” though officials assured that the situation was not catastrophic.
In Tiburon, Mayor Sally Wilkinson warned that Beach Road was nearly breached, with Bay waters dangerously close to the road’s surface. Local businesses report ongoing struggles, with Councilmember Holli Thier emphasizing, “Main Street was closed yesterday, and our businesses and restaurants experienced a power outage due to flooding.”
By 4 PM, the extent of the flooding was clearer, revealing the impact across the region. The situation in Marin City was mitigated by a pumping system, yet Sarah Canson, a community services district board member, noted, “It’s flooding on the other side of 101, stopping us from making the turn to the highway.”
Public works crews are working tirelessly to manage the deluge, as Larkspur Mayor Stephanie Andre remarked, “The issue is simple — there is too much water.” Sausalito’s Mayor Steven Woodside acknowledged the perilous conditions, stating that while the southern waterfront was spared from wave-driven flooding, the northern areas faced danger.
According to Brayben Murdoch, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, the king tides exceeded seven feet above sea level, combined with a storm surge from the recent atmospheric river, which led to the flooding. “The high tide comes in, it overflows certain areas,” he explained.
Looking ahead, Murdoch indicated that conditions should ease, with a high tide of 6.92 feet expected tomorrow. However, pockets of flooding may persist for several days, complicating recovery efforts. “Tomorrow looks to be much less, but we’ll have to anticipate closing some roads,” said Mill Valley Police Sgt. David Kollerer.
As residents brace for continued impacts, officials urge caution and preparedness. The Nixle alert system has been vital in keeping the community informed of road closures and power outages, showcasing the importance of timely communication during emergencies.
Stay tuned for more updates as this developing situation unfolds.
