URGENT UPDATE: Historic flooding has devastated Marin County’s low-lying areas, with record king tides and a winter storm surge causing widespread inundation on November 11, 2023. Major thoroughfares, including Highway 101 near Lucky Drive, were completely submerged, paralyzing traffic for hours as emergency services scrambled to respond.
By 2:30 PM, receding waters on Highway 101 allowed limited passage, but many neighborhoods—including Corte Madera and Larkspur—continued to struggle with flooding, some areas affected for the second consecutive day. Public safety officials reported extensive flooding along Seminary Drive and in flood-prone zones like northern Sausalito’s Gate 5 neighborhood and the Manzanita park and ride lot under Highway 101.
An estimated 1,500 homes in parts of Tiburon and Marin City experienced power outages due to flooding, sparking frustration among residents. “We are seeing a significant amount of flooding throughout the county,” stated Laine Hendricks, spokesperson for Marin County. The Canal neighborhood in San Rafael was particularly hard-hit, with numerous roads closed and emergency alerts issued via the county’s Nixle system.
As the flooding worsened, Belvedere Mayor Sally Wilkinson reported that Beach Road was nearly breached by rising bay waters. “The inbound lanes of Tiburon Boulevard were completely covered in water,” she noted, emphasizing the dire situation for local businesses and residents.
The National Weather Service confirmed that these historic king tides exceeded seven feet above sea level, compounded by storm surges from a recent atmospheric river. Meteorologist Brayben Murdoch explained, “The high tide comes in, and it overflows certain areas.” He warned that while conditions may improve slightly tomorrow, pockets of flooding could persist for days.
Authorities are urging residents to stay vigilant as they assess ongoing flooding. “We’ll probably have to close some roads tomorrow,” said Mill Valley Police Sgt. David Kollerer, highlighting the challenges faced by emergency responders. “It just depends on how everything shakes out,” he added, stressing the importance of staying informed.
As the community rallies to address this crisis, officials are working diligently to restore power and clear roadways. Residents are encouraged to heed emergency alerts and avoid flooded areas for their safety.
The situation remains fluid, and further updates will be provided as more information becomes available. Stay tuned for critical developments in this unfolding emergency.
