Coastal Flood Advisory extended; San Francisco high tide sets record

By Tim Fang

The National Weather Service has extended a flood advisory for low-lying parts of the Bay Area due to expected tidal flooding, with high tide already setting records.

On Monday night, the agency extended the flood advisory through 5 p.m. Friday for shoreline locations along the San Francisco Bay, San Pablo Bay and Monterey Bay, along with low-lying parts of the coast.

“Rising tides will bring water and waves farther up the beach than normal, restricting escape from beaches and coastal areas. More substantial impacts are expected along bayshore Marin County where increased flooding is anticipated across low lying areas,” forecasters said in a statement.

Parts of southern Marin County experienced tidal flooding on Monday and Tuesday, which flooded streets and led to a drivers being stranded and having to be rescued. The Mill Valley Police Department on Tuesday urged drivers to avoid Miller Ave. between Camino Alto and Almonte Boulevard and the west side of Redwood Highway Frontage Road between Hamilton Drive and the southbound U.S. Highway 101 off/onramp because of flooding. 

On Monday, the weather service announced the tide gauge in San Francisco reached 1.87 feet above MHHW, a record high for the month of October and breaking a record set on Oct. 11. Forecasters said the record may be short lived, with higher tides expected in the next few days.

On Tuesday, high tide in San Francisco is expected to be 2.1 feet above normal when it occurs at 12:15 p.m. Wednesday’s high tide at 12:56 p.m. is expected to be 1.9 feet above normal, while Thursday’s high tide at 1:43 p.m. is expected to be 1.7 feet above normal.

Officials urged motorists not to drive around barricades or through water of unknown depth. Owners of flood-prone properties are also urged to take precautions.