High Tides Cut Off Corte Madera Neighborhood as Marin Roads Flood

A neighborhood in Corte Madera was turned into an island on Tuesday when high-tide flooding closed Golden Hind Passage Road, near The Cove School, in the North Bay.

Across low-lying parts of Marin County, roads went under water when the tide rose at around 1 p.m. The Marin County Office of Emergency Management urged people to stay off flooded roads, noting that a coastal flood advisory remains in effect through Friday.

The salty water caught some vehicles and brought delivery trucks to a stop on Tuesday afternoon. Some residents were stuck in their homes, with sandbags piled up in an effort to hold back the water.

Sachi Itagaki, a member of the Corte Madera Flood Control Committee, raised her house a few years ago. She said the community is searching for longer-term solutions. "Any water is going to work its way. Any tiny crevice is going to get through," she said.

On the other side of Highway 101, the manager of Fitness SF said the gym spent about $10,000 on new orange flood barriers after water got inside the building during last January's flood. The business hopes the city and county will do more to support local businesses.

"Roads aren't being shut down as early as I think they should be. It's also causing wake and splashing of water into our business," Ryan Davis said.

Another round of high-tide flooding is expected Wednesday. Davis said staff would be working through the night to get ready. "We're just going to have to work the night through to prepare for tomorrow, which is supposed to be worse," he said.

California's Office of Emergency Services reminded coastal residents to stay aware as El Niño conditions approach. "With the strong El Niño already making impacts, coastal communities should stay alert as conditions change," the agency said on X.

The National Weather Service extended its coastal flood advisory through 5 p.m. Friday for bayshore areas along San Pablo Bay, San Francisco Bay and Monterey Bay.