NewsKQED NewsOctober 27, 2026San Francisco County
San Francisco Embarcadero Floods as Tides Peak Two Feet Above Normal
Photo: KQED News
Tides peaking 2.1 feet above normal flooded parts of San Francisco's Embarcadero, prompting the city to close sections of sidewalks and bike lanes. The National Weather Service issued a coastal flood advisory for low-lying Bay Area regions, driven by warming ocean trends associated with an upcoming El Niño.
Read the full story at KQED NewsWhy It Matters
Residents face sidewalk and bike lane closures, waterfront business disruptions, and potential property damage along low-lying coastal areas due to abnormal winter tides and forecasted severe weather.
Key Facts
- Tides peaked at 2.1 feet above normal on Tuesday and are forecasted to reach above 1.9 feet above normal on Wednesday.
- The National Weather Service issued a coastal flood advisory for low-lying Bay Area regions.
- Flooding along San Francisco's Embarcadero forced the city to close part of the sidewalk and the bike lane.
- The Port of San Francisco attributes the abnormal high tides to a warming trend in the water caused by an upcoming El Niño.
- Experts predict the upcoming El Niño will produce torrential downpours, flooding, elevated sea levels, severe thunderstorms, and isolated tornadoes.
- The Port of San Francisco is prepared to deploy barriers, close traffic near the waterfront, and pump out water when necessary.
- San Francisco declared a local emergency last week in anticipation of heavy rain and flooding.
- The Port has informed waterfront businesses that their operations could be affected by severe weather.
Who's Mentioned
locationGeorgia“Southern state experiencing coastlines inundated by King tides.”locationBay Area“Region covered by the National Weather Service coastal flood advisory.”locationMarin County“Bayshore area expecting the worst flooding from high tides.”OrganizationNational Weather Service“Issued a coastal flood advisory for low-lying regions across the Bay Area.”PersonEric Young“Spokesperson for the Port of San Francisco.”locationFlorida“Southern state experiencing coastlines inundated by King tides.”locationSouthern California“Region issuing warnings of water over low-lying roads and beach erosion.”OrganizationPort of San Francisco“Informed waterfront businesses of potential weather impacts and prepared flood b”locationSan Francisco“City experiencing abnormal high tides and localized flooding along the Embarcade”