At a Glance
- Crews cleared mud from major highways after storms and record high tides.
- Bay Area roads flooded up to 4 feet of water during King Tides.
- A man died in a creek after mudslides blocked a Santa Barbara highway.
- Why it matters: Residents and travelers face road closures, rescues, and ongoing weather threats across California.
California’s winter storms have left a trail of mud-filled highways, flooded Bay Area streets, and a deadly mudslide in Santa Barbara. As forecasters warn of more thunderstorms, crews are working to keep roads open while residents brace for lingering hazards.
Northern California Flood Watch
The National Weather Service in Eureka has issued a flood watch for five northern counties, citing up to 3 inches of rain possible through Monday night in areas that have been wet since Christmas.
- Marin
- Sonoma
- Alameda
- San Mateo
- San Francisco
At least a foot of snow is expected in the mountains.
Bay Area King Tides
In the Bay Area, waters from Sausalito to San Rafael were flooded during heavy rain that coincided with record-breaking King Tides. The tides, which occur when the moon is closest to Earth, pushed water up to 4 feet onto the roads.
Sgt. Michael Dobbins said cars got stuck in water as high as 3 and 4 feet.
Jeremy Hager told KTVU-TV:
> “I’ve been around here for the King Tides and I’ve never seen it this high. Never.”
Flooding spread across Marin, Sonoma, Alameda, San Mateo, and San Francisco counties.
Forecasters warned drivers to slow down and allow extra time as lingering thunderstorms could worsen conditions.
Santa Barbara Mudslides
In Santa Barbara County, a key highway reopened Sunday after mudslides blocked it near Goleta for most of the weekend. A man was swept into a creek during the storm and died, the sheriff’s office said.
Parts of the county received more than 4 inches of rain over two days.
After a mostly dry autumn, California has seen the wettest holiday season in years.
Key Takeaways
- Crews are clearing mud from highways while storms continue.
- Bay Area roads flooded up to 4 ft; residents urged to drive slowly.
- Mudslides in Santa Barbara caused a fatality and reopened a highway.
The state’s winter storms have tested infrastructure and emergency response, leaving many counties on alert for more rain and flooding.
