High Tides Flood Mill Valley Roads as Peninsula Preps for El Niño

Coastal flooding prompted Caltrans to close Miller Avenue in Mill Valley on Monday as Pacific high tides surged into low-lying streets and stranded motorists, while Peninsula officials in Mountain View and Santa Clara County rolled out emergency sandbag stations ahead of projected El Niño winter storms, according to reports by KTVU FOX 2 and the Mountain View Voice.

In Marin County, tidewater rose midway up a stranded driver’s car on Miller Avenue before a tow truck operator lowered a ramp to rescue the motorist, while paddleboarders were seen navigating down the flooded corridor past stalled vehicles.

Coastal Flood Advisory in Effect Through Thursday

Forecasters reported that ocean levels along the California coast have been running as much as 22 inches above predicted levels—also sending record-breaking tides from Newport Harbor onto the Balboa Peninsula in Southern California—and the National Weather Service issued a coastal flood advisory remaining in effect through Thursday for low-lying roads, parking lots, bike paths, and harbor walkways.

Mountain View and Valley Water Open Free Sandbag Stations

In the South Bay and Peninsula, Santa Clara Valley Water declared El Niño conditions a local emergency earlier this month and has been clearing debris from county creeks. Following the season’s first winter rainfall last week, the City of Mountain View published storm preparedness guidance at MountainView.gov/ElNino urging residents to register for AlertSCC emergency notifications, check FEMA flood maps, clear home gutters and street drains, and move parked cars or basketball hoops so street sweepers can clear leaves.

Free sand and sandbags are available to residents at Mountain View’s Municipal Operations Center (231 N. Whisman Road) and at Valley Water distribution sites including the Palo Alto Air Terminal (1925 Embarcadero Road).