Streets Flood in San Rafael, Mill Valley as Wild Storm Lashes Bay Space – CBS San Francisco
SAN RAFAEL (CBS SF) – Marin County authorities notified residents of widespread road flooding in San Rafael, Mill Valley and other areas and warned people to avoid certain areas due to extreme flooding on Sunday afternoon.
(CBS)
Many roads were under 2 feet of water and impassable, San Rafael police said in a warning around 2:15 p.m.
“The floods are expected to worsen due to another flood in addition to the amount of precipitation from the atmospheric river,” police said in a statement.
San Rafael officials said the downtown flooding was concentrated in the area east of A Street. There are road closures around the 2nd and 3rd street from the A-Strasse to the motorway entrance.
Shortly after 3:45 p.m., the San Rafael Office of Emergency Services tweeted images of flooding in residential areas. Officials warned that much of downtown San Rafael was flooded and asked residents to stay at home.
There is still significant rainfall in Marin and @CityofSanRafael. The main front is still pending. Much of the city center is flooded and not safe to travel. Please stay at home and only travel if absolutely necessary. #fluten #AtmosphericRiver @SanRafaelPolice @SRFD pic.twitter.com/Ql7msLmIqA
– San Rafael OES (@SanRafaelOES) October 24, 2021
According to city officials, there have been over 330 emergency calls for the fire brigade or police since midnight, four times the average call volume. The San Rafael Public Works staff are also responding to calls, helping clear trees from the streets and doing what they can to keep drainage free.
Local residents are advised to expect additional flooding, gusts of wind, and possible power outages before the main storm system wears off around 9 p.m. on Sunday. The rain will last through the night and into the morning.
Multiple blackouts are currently affecting some traffic lights and pumping stations in San Rafael and throughout the North Bay and Greater Bay Area. PG&E crews are responding to multiple reports of damage to power lines and pylons.
Meanwhile, the Marin County Sheriff tweeted about flooding in other areas and road closures.
A section of the Shoreline Highway in Olema was closed due to flooding from Sir Francis Drake / Hwy 1 to Sir Francis Drake / Hwy 1 in Point Reyes.
Shoreline Highway in Olema from Sir Francis Drake / Hwy 1 to Sir Francis Drake / Hwy1 in Point Reyes closed due to flooding.
Please only travel if it is absolutely necessary. pic.twitter.com/3p1yBpWHQl
– Marin County Sheriff (@MarinSheriff) October 24, 2021
Mill Valley also saw flooding in the Sycamore Triangle neighborhood. Residents there were told to raise their vehicles in the Mill Valley Community Center.
The town of Mill Valley is experiencing flooding in the Sycamore Triangle area. Residents in flood-prone areas are advised to bring their vehicles to a higher level at the Mill Valley Community Center.
Don’t call 911 unless you have an emergency. pic.twitter.com/i5J4RrMG85
– Marin County Sheriff (@MarinSheriff) October 24, 2021
Mill Valley Police later confirmed that a number of roads were closed due to local flooding.
The following streets are closed due to local flooding. Please stay away from the areas
– Miller in Montford
– Müller on Camino Alto
– Miller between Camino Alto and Almonte
Due to the road conditions, fallen debris and heavy rain, we urge everyone to restrict driving. pic.twitter.com/ST0n5bmDDU
– Mill Valley Police (@MillValleyPD) October 25, 2021
The sheriff also tweeted at around 4 p.m. that flood sirens went on in Ross, San Anselmo, and Fairfax as Corte Madera Creek reached its banks.
High water sirens activated in Ross, San Anselmo and Fairfax. Creek begins to curve. Avoid the area and seek higher ground if you are near streams or creeks.
Updated information at https://t.co/6lGaK7yzy0 pic.twitter.com/mCGOkWuwlg
– Marin County Sheriff (@MarinSheriff) October 24, 2021
Residents have been advised to vacate the area and go to higher elevation areas if they are near streams or creeks.
The city administration in Sausalito declared a state of emergency on Sunday afternoon due to widespread storm damage.
At 3:30 p.m., more than 800 PG&E customers were without power.
City officials also reported fallen trees and power lines and said residents of the Marinship Park tent camp had been evicted, prompting the city to ask Marin County to build housing in Southern Marin.
The Sausalito Library at Litho Street 420 will remain open until 9 p.m. to protect people without electricity.
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