Bay Area Faces 5-Foot Flood Risk as El Niño Lifts Sea Levels With 90% Odds
Updated
Updated · KQED · Aug 13
Bay Area Faces 5-Foot Flood Risk as El Niño Lifts Sea Levels With 90% Odds
3 articles · Updated · KQED · Aug 13
Summary
Federal scientists see a greater than 90% chance of a very strong El Niño this fall and winter, raising the prospect of the highest sea levels ever recorded on the California coast.
Scientists say long-term sea rise, Pacific warming and Kelvin waves could add up to 9 inches of temporary coastal rise, which stacked with king tides, storm surge and back-to-back storms could produce 5 to 6 feet of inundation above historical high tides.
The anomaly has already started: a tide gauge near the Golden Gate Bridge is running about 6 inches above normal for this time of year, and researchers expect levels to climb further in winter.
California has staged 4.3 million sandbags, 55,000 super sacks and 400,000 tons of rock, while San Rafael, Alameda and the Port of San Francisco are clearing drains, readying pumps and planning road closures and detours.
Researchers and local planners say this winter could expose weak points in the Bay Area's patchwork flood defenses and offer a preview of the region's climate-change future.