Public Safety · Novato, CA
Experts Map Bay Area Flood Risks from El Niño, Sea Level Rise
Climate scientists and planners are monitoring El Niño conditions, sea level rise, king tides, and Kelvin waves as potential drivers of increased Bay Area flooding this winter. The San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission has developed maps projecting approximately 12 inches of additional water level from thermal expansion, identifying vulnerable areas including the Marin County shoreline, Peninsula communities, Alviso in the South Bay, and East Bay stretches near Alameda and Oakland Airport. Novato-based nonprofit Lemon Aide Project is helping residents prepare emergency kits and evacuation plans ahead of potential flooding events. Residents can access interactive flood-risk maps through the commission's website.