Archive · 4 Jan 2026
Heavy Rain and King Tides Flood Northern California
On January 3, 2026, a lot of rain and very high tides called King Tides caused flooding in parts of Northern California.
The water was so high that it covered roads and even reached up to people's knees in some places.
Cars got stuck in the water, and people had to be rescued.
Authorities told everyone to stay home if they could.
The tides were the highest in more than 20 years, and the weather service warned that the flooding would last until the next day.
Some people even used kayaks to move around because the streets were like rivers.
Heavy rain and record-breaking King Tides caused severe flooding in Marin County, California on January 3, 2026.
A 24-kilometre stretch of road from Sausalito to San Rafael was flooded, with water depths reaching up to 4 feet (1.2 meters).
Authorities rescued residents trapped in their cars due to the flooding, with no reported injuries.
Residents were advised to stay home, and some used kayaks to navigate flooded streets.
A flood warning was issued for the San Francisco area until 2 pm Saturday, with an advisory extending until 2 pm Sunday.
- Who
- Residents and authorities in Marin County, California
- What
- Flooding due to heavy rain and King Tides
- When
- January 3, 2026
- Where
- Marin County, California, near San Francisco
- Why
- Heavy rain coinciding with record-breaking King Tides
- Location
- Marin County, California
- Date
- January 3, 2026
- Cause
- Heavy rain and King Tides
- Road Closures
- 24-kilometre stretch from Sausalito to San Rafael
- Flood Depth
- Up to 4 feet (1.2 meters)
- Flood Warning Duration
- Until 2 pm Saturday, January 3, 2026
- Flood Advisory Duration
- Until 2 pm Sunday, January 4, 2026
