Heavy rain paired with record "King Tides" caused severe flooding along a roughly 15-mile stretch from Sausalito to San Rafael, leaving streets submerged and cars trapped in 3–4 feet of water. Emergency crews carried out rescues and closed multiple roadways while officials urged residents north of San Francisco to stay home until waters recede. The National Weather Service has a flood advisory in effect through 2 p.m. Sunday, with more rain expected statewide through Monday. In Santa Barbara County, mudslides near Goleta closed a highway and one person was reported killed after being swept into a creek.
Heavy Rain and Record 'King Tides' Flood Northern California Coast — Cars Stranded, Roads Closed
People wade through a flooded RV park Saturday, January 3, 2026, near Corte Madera in Marin County, California. - Ethan Swope/AP
Heavy rain combined with unusually high "King Tides" — reportedly the strongest in about two decades — produced severe flooding across parts of Northern California on Saturday, prompting rescues and widespread road closures.
Impact and Response
Roadways along a roughly 15-mile corridor from the Sausalito area to San Rafael were inundated after a downpour coincided with record-setting tides, Marin County Sheriff’s Sgt. Michael Dobbins said. Authorities responded when vehicles became stranded in water reported as high as 3 to 4 feet, and several streets and highways were closed while first responders carried out rescues.
Cars drive on highway 101 flooded by the "King Tides", Saturday, January 3, 2026, near Corte Madera in Marin County, California. - Ethan Swope/AP
“There is a lot of water in the roadways,” Sgt. Dobbins said, adding that the unusually high tides, combined with heavy rains, created the "perfect storm" for coastal and street flooding.
Safety Advisories
Officials in communities north of San Francisco urged residents to remain home until floodwaters recede. The National Weather Service issued a flood advisory for the San Francisco area through 2 p.m. Sunday and warned of repeated rounds of rain across the state through Monday.
Conditions to the South
Farther south in Santa Barbara County, heavy rainfall triggered mudslides that closed roads and blocked a key highway near Goleta. The county sheriff’s office reported one man died after being swept into a creek during the storm.
Floodwaters cover streets in Marin County, California on Saturday, January 3, 2026. - Ethan Swope/AP
What Are King Tides? King Tides occur when the sun, moon and Earth align and the moon is at its closest point to Earth, producing a stronger gravitational pull that raises sea levels. When these tides coincide with heavy rainfall, coastal flooding and street inundation become more likely.
Authorities continue to monitor conditions. Residents should avoid driving through floodwaters, follow local emergency guidance, and report urgent situations to first responders.
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