CORTE MADERA, Calif. (AP) — Crews are working tirelessly to clear mud from vital California highways as weather forecasts predict more thunderstorms are on their way. This follows recent heavy downpour and king tides that resulted in significant flooding, road closures, and rescues across various regions.
Five northern counties continue to remain under flood watches, expecting an additional three inches (7.6 cm) of rain by Monday night. The National Weather Service has noted that some parts of California have been experiencing intermittent downpours since Christmas, which have led to substantial challenges. [More on rain effects](https://apnews.com/article/california-storms-atmospheric-river-rain-snow-00419cbf7f9ab00110639a1daaee86dd)
In regions south of San Francisco Bay, flooding is reported to be receding, however, substantial damage remains in areas like Sausalito and San Rafael. Record-setting “king tides,” a natural phenomenon where the moon is at its closest point to earth, increased the severity of flooding during the storms.
As emergency response teams are deployed, individuals have taken to kayaking through submerged streets, as some found themselves stuck in vehicles submerged in water up to four feet high. Marin County Sheriff’s Sgt. Michael Dobbins noted the critical nature of quick rescue operations as stranded individuals required assistance.
Witnesses like Jeremy Hager from San Rafael expressed disbelief at how high the waters have risen, stating that they had never seen such extreme conditions in previous king tides.
Flooding has been notably prominent in Marin, Sonoma, Alameda, San Mateo, and San Francisco counties. Authorities are advising travelers to reduce their speed and exercise caution, especially in low-lying areas where additional thunderstorms could lead to further flooding issues.
Reports from Santa Barbara County also highlighted that, after a weekend of blockages from mudslides, a key highway was reopened. Unfortunately, the sheriff's office confirmed a tragic incident where a man died after being swept into a creek during the storm.
California has experienced a tumultuous winter after a long dry season, with waves of winter storms delivering unprecedented rainfall, marking one of the wettest holiday sequences in years.
