What is causing flooding in Northern California this weekend?

Flooding in Northern California is caused by a combination of heavy rainfall from a new storm and exceptionally high tides known as king tides.

What are the travel expectations for the Sierra Nevada?

Heavy snow is expected in the Sierra Nevada, leading to warnings of major travel delays from Friday night into Monday.

How has rainfall in Southern California compared to normal?

Southern California has received significantly more rain than usual this winter, with some areas recording over three times the typical amount.

Home / Disasters and Accidents / California Drenched: Storms Unleash Floods & Snow

California Drenched: Storms Unleash Floods & Snow

3 Jan

•

Summary

California faces another storm with wind and rain.
Coastal areas experience flooding due to storms and high tides.
Sierra Nevada expects heavy snow, causing travel delays.

California Drenched: Storms Unleash Floods & Snow

California is once again under threat from a powerful storm system expected to deliver heavy winds and rain across the state this weekend. This latest system arrives after a consistent series of storms since mid-December has saturated the region, causing widespread flooding and landslides.

Northern California is already contending with flooding, amplified by the coincidence of the storm with king tides, which are exceptionally high tides. Coastal flood warnings are in effect for areas like the San Francisco Bay shoreline, which is anticipated to experience its highest tide since 1998. In Marin County, low-lying areas have seen homes and vehicles submerged, and vital transportation routes blocked by standing water.

Southern California is also anticipating significant rainfall, with some areas having already received more than three times the usual precipitation for this period. This has led to severe urban flooding, with instances of roads quickly becoming impassable and vehicles floating away. The storm is also projected to bring heavy snow to the Sierra Nevada, prompting warnings of major travel delays from Friday night into Monday.