Record-breaking King Tides flood San Francisco Bay Area and Northern California coast, U.S.
Record-breaking King Tides struck the San Francisco Bay Area and parts of the Northern California coast on Friday and Saturday, January 2-3, 2026, causing widespread coastal flooding across multiple counties. Tide gauges across the region recorded water levels up to 0.76 m (2.5 feet) above normal, breaking multiple records and prompting road closures, flood warnings, and emergency advisories.
Flooding in the King Salmon area. Credit: Humboldt County Planning & Building Department.
Record-breaking high tides struck parts of the San Francisco Bay Area and the Pacific Coast on Saturday, triggering significant flooding across the region during the weekend.
The National Weather Service (NWS) issued a coastal flood warning for the San Francisco Bay shore through Saturday, warning that tides could bring water 0.76 m (2.5 feet) above normal levels, breaking a 28-year record for high tide.
NWS Eureka reported that the tide gauge at the North Spit of Humboldt Bay broke the all-time high tide record twice between Friday and Saturday.
The gauge recorded its highest tide on record, reaching 3.05 m (10.01 feet) on Friday, breaking the previous record of 3.04 m (9.98 feet) set on December 31, 2005. The same gauge then set another record, with the tide reaching 3.16 m (10.37 feet) on Saturday.
Enjoy the morning quiet while it lasts! Here’s a look at current conditions next to Miramar Beach in San Mateo County.
— CAL FIRE CZU (@CALFIRECZU) January 2, 2026
According to @NWSBayArea, a major storm arrives late tonight, bringing heavy rain and intense winds through Saturday.
Wind: Strong southerly gusts up to 50… pic.twitter.com/hmp7rUtP59
NWS Bay Area reported that all 10 stations in the region saw tides ranking in the top 10 highest on record, including three stations that set new all-time high tide records.
Stations at Redwood City, Richmond, and Martinez saw their highest tides on record, reporting tides of 0.82 m (2.70 feet), 0.80 m (2.61 feet), and 0.75 m (2.46 feet), respectively.
Meanwhile, the San Francisco station saw its fourth-highest tide on record, reaching 0.78 m (2.56 feet). It was also the highest tide for the station since 1998. Both Point Reyes and Monterey were hit by their third-highest tides on record, with the stations recording tides of 0.83 m (2.73 feet) and 0.74 m (2.43 feet), respectively.
Coastal flooding was reported in coastal areas across Marin County, Sonoma County, Alameda County, San Mateo County, and San Francisco due to the King Tide event.
In Marin County, flooding prompted the closure of Lucky Drive and Fifer Avenue in Corte Madera and Doherty Drive in Larkspur, which remained in effect as of Saturday afternoon.
Flooding was also reported along San Francisco’s Embarcadero, where traffic had to be rerouted around floodwaters.
This is a current look at a Miramar Beach in Half Moon Bay.
— CAL FIRE CZU (@CALFIRECZU) January 3, 2026
The @NWSBayArea says a Coastal Flood Warning is active due to the king tides and storm surge.
Expect water levels to be much higher than usual in low-lying areas.
Stay off the jetties and be careful on Highway 1.… pic.twitter.com/BBgsaPzZtM
On Friday, the Humboldt County Office of Emergency Services urged residents to stay away from the King Salmon area due to extreme flooding.
“Due to extreme flooding from the King Tide, the Humboldt County Office of Emergency Services is asking all residents to avoid the King Salmon area,” the agency said. Officials added that residents whose homes have been damaged and who need temporary shelter should contact the American Red Cross at 800-733-2777.
Meanwhile, the Humboldt County Planning & Building Department warned of serious health and life-safety risks tied to flooding in coastal neighborhoods. The department said many homes built in low-elevation areas near Humboldt Bay, its estuaries, and nearby rivers and creeks are experiencing flooding and water damage due to the combination of King Tides and rainfall.
Officials cautioned that floodwater entering homes can reach electrical outlets, wiring, under-floor connections, and appliances, creating a significant risk of electric shock.
The record-breaking tides were triggered by a strong atmospheric river that made landfall over California on Saturday and forecast to bring up to 250 mm (10 inches) of precipitation across the region.
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Rishav Kothari is Editor-in-Chief of The Watchers, where he runs the newsroom and covers earthquakes, volcanoes, severe weather and space weather.
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