The Marin County area experienced a second consecutive day of flooding on Saturday, attributed to a combination of king tides and a storm surge. These conditions resulted in several roads and businesses being submerged for multiple hours.
Impact on Infrastructure and Businesses
In Larkspur, floodwaters rapidly affected the Marin RV Park, with its driveway becoming impassable within approximately 15 minutes on Saturday. Residents at the RV Park undertook efforts to relocate vehicles, including RVs, to higher ground.
Highway 101 in Larkspur was significantly affected around 11 a.m., leading to the inundation of both northbound and southbound lanes. This caused vehicles to become stranded. The California Highway Patrol (CHP) initially halted traffic before reducing passage to a single lane. One incident involved a vehicle observed floating near the Lucky Drive exit.
The Central Marin Fire Department responded to numerous calls related to the flooding. Battalion Chief Brian Peterson advised the public against driving through flooded areas.
The Shineology car wash reported its detailing garage was flooded, and its gas pumps sustained potential damage. A nearby Trader Joe's store also became inaccessible due to the surrounding floodwaters.
Contributing Factors
The flooding event was primarily caused by king tides, which were reported to be the highest recorded in the area since 1998, coinciding with significant rainfall.