Update from Kate
~~Stormy Weather (Not the Tune)~~
What You Need to Know About Upcoming Storms, High Tides, and Climate Change
Please Share Widely:
PG&E released a press release today predicting a storm starting on Wednesday afternoon with wind, rain, and mountain snow that will last into Thursday. Unsettled weather may continue over the weekend and into the following week. This is a great opportunity to have a plan for inclement weather and be prepared for unexpected power outages.
For more information on what PG&E is doing to prepare for the weather ahead and storm safety tips, check out the press release here.
 Above: PG&E offers tips for staying safe during storms. Learn more at pge.com/beprepared.
The following contains excerpts from a recent County of Marin press release. To review the full text, click here.
Based on tide predictions published by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), tide levels that could be high enough to cause roadway flooding in parts of Marin, primarily coastal areas, are expected January 19-24 (just in time for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day -- and potentially, your long weekend travel plans) and February 6-10. Drivers are encouraged to consider using alternative routes and should allow extra time for trips, especially during peak commute times. Travelers should always avoid driving through ponded water, as even six inches of standing water can stall a low-clearance car.
If significant rainfall occurs during a high tide of 6.3 feet or more, the likelihood of localized flooding increases for coastal communities and other historically susceptible areas, such as Greenwood Cove Drive in Tiburon and the Manzanita Park & Ride.
 Above: Tide chart for Sausalito during MLK weekend and beyond. Tides will be similar along the Mill Valley shoreline and in surrounding areas.
Travelers can check 511.org for latest traffic and transit information. Marin County Department of Public Works (DPW) Twitter, Marin County Sheriff’s Office Twitter, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) traffic website and CHP Marin Twitter are excellent resources for travelers and residents looking for updates during storm events. Additionally, weather gauges showing rainfall and tide elevations can be viewed in real-time at Marin County’s OneRain webpage.
The following contains excerpts from a recent County of Marin press release. To review the full text, click here.
High tides often cause flooding along shoreline communities and low-lying roadways of Marin County, which can be exacerbated during winter storms. But, as we know, tide-related flooding can happen whether it’s raining or not.
DPW and the Marin County Flood Control and Water Conservation District are urging residents and visitors to stay informed of changing weather conditions and be aware of expected high tides that might affect commuter schedules and travel plans.
 Above: The Manzanita Park & Ride lot (entrance shown on the left) is plagued by drainage problems because it is so close to sea level.
The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) oversees the Manzanita Park & Ride -- an area that sees regular flooding. The agency has made efforts in recent years to fortify the property. Additionally, the County's DPW and the Flood District coordinated with Caltrans to install a 175-foot-long sandbag wall along Highway 1, adjacent to the Caltrans maintenance yard, where flooding from the bay historically inundates the road in front of Manzanita Park & Ride. However, when high tides are coupled with significant rain, localized flooding can still occur and limits access through the corridor. Commuters should expect delays and possibly detours during such incidents.
It is anticipated that annual king tides, which are extreme high tides, could become the normal tides as sea level rise continues.There are also predictions of increases in daily tidal flooding. In the same vein, the County of Marin released the Marin Shoreline Sea Level Rise Vulnerability Assessment in 2017, a comprehensive study ("BayWAVE") that shows the expected impacts that sea level rise will have on flooding along Marin's Bay shoreline.
An example of impacted infrastructure is the multiple closures of Highway 37 near Novato in the past few years. The route along the San Pablo Bay marshlands, which is under Caltrans jurisdiction, is a crucial part of the North Bay’s road infrastructure. Studies are underway, including one by DPW, to assess the resiliency and potential solutions in the face of future sea level rise expectations.
As storms exacerbate high tides, DPW prepares year-round for the rainy season, conducting various maintenance tasks intended to help reduce the risk of flooding. In addition to maintenance tasks like creek clearing and storm drain cleaning, the Flood District has recently improved several infrastructure sites including a pump station in Tiburon and installation of new tide and creek level monitoring gauges.
The following contains excerpts from a One Tam e-newsletter on January 8, 2020. To review the full text, click here.
 Above: Sausalito Mill Valley Multi-Use Trail along Bothin Marsh at high tide. Photo by Dana Lui, Marin County Parks.
The California King Tides Project helps us visualize future sea level by collecting images of our upcoming “king tides,” a non-scientific term we use to describe the exceptionally high tides that occur a few times each year. King tides occur when the moon and the sun align to create the most gravitational pull on the Earth’s oceans and when the moon and sun are closest to Earth. We have peak tides predicted locally in Mt. Tam's watershed at Bothin Marsh on February 8-9. Share your images of these high tides on social media with with #kingtides and #onetam, and with the California King Tides Project. Please be safe and take extra precautions when exploring the shoreline during high tides; also, be on the lookout for shore birds that may be taking refuge in the tideline and need extra space.
Learn more about the sea level rise challenges at Bothin Marsh where sea level is expected to rise ten inches in the next ten years, and learn how One Tam partners are preparing for sea level rise at Bothin Marsh and Bolinas Lagoon.
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