California Braces for More Thunderstorms as Floodwaters Recede

Wed Feb 18 2026 20:09:22 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

After heavy rains and king tides caused significant flooding and road closures, California residents face new thunderstorms while crews work to clear affected highways.

California is preparing for additional thunderstorms as flooding caused by heavy rain and king tides has impacted several northern counties, leading to road closures and rescues. With forecasts predicting up to three inches of rain through Monday night, communities like Marin and Sonoma are on high alert. Residents have reported wading through water, while some parts of Santa Barbara County saw over four inches of rain in just two days. Authorities advise drivers to exercise caution as they navigate flooded areas.

CORTE MADERA, Calif. (AP) — Crews have been busy clearing mud from critical California highways as forecasts indicate more thunderstorms are on the horizon after previous torrential downpours and king tides led to significant flooding, road closures, and rescues of individuals trapped in their vehicles.

As of Sunday, five northern counties remain under flood watch, with predictions of up to three inches (7.6 cm) of further rainfall possible through Monday night. This comes on the heels of heavy precipitation experienced since around Christmas, noted the National Weather Service office in Eureka. Additionally, mountain areas are expected to see at least a foot (.3 meters) of accumulating snow.

In the San Francisco Bay Area, the recent flooding has begun to recede, especially in locations from Sausalito to San Rafael. This flooding coincided with record-breaking king tides, a phenomenon occurring when the moon is closest to the Earth, resulting in higher gravitational pull and causing the tides to rise considerably.

Residents have taken to kayaking along flooded streets while others have waded through waters that reached thigh-level. The Marin County Sheriff's Office reported several instances where authorities were called to assist drivers whose cars became submerged in depths of three to four feet (1.1 to 1.2 meters).

And as local resident Jeremy Hager remarked, I’ve been around here for the king tides and I’ve never seen it this high. Never. The weather service has urged drivers to slow down and factor in extra time when on the road, warning that lingering thunderstorms could exacerbate issues, particularly in lower-lying areas.

Flooding has been reported across multiple counties, including Marin, Sonoma, Alameda, San Mateo, and San Francisco. Meanwhile, further south in Santa Barbara County, authorities managed to reopen a critical highway that had been blocked by mudslides for most of the weekend. Tragedy struck as one man lost his life after being swept into a creek during the storm, according to the sheriff’s office.

Pockets of Santa Barbara County experienced over four inches (10 cm) of rain within just 48 hours. Following a relatively dry autumn, California is finding itself battling a series of winter storms that have led to what is being referred to as the wettest holiday season in years.