San Francisco declares local emergency amid El Niño flood risks

San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie has declared a local emergency to prepare for a potentially historic El Niño weather pattern. The declaration allows the city to access preparation services more quickly and reallocate funds across various departments, including Public Works, the Public Utilities Commission, and the Port of San Francisco.

Forecasters have warned of increased storm activity and flooding risks. The National Weather Service’s Climate Prediction Center indicated an 83% chance of a record-breaking El Niño through the end of the year. A report from UC Davis highlighted that low-lying areas in the Bay Area, such as the runways at San Francisco International Airport and Oakland airport, Highway 37, and the eastern approach to the Bay Bridge, are extremely vulnerable to flooding and failure this winter.

In Marin County, tidal flooding has already impacted low-lying areas. Shoreline Highway near the Highway 101 interchange in Marin City experienced flooding, and drivers were stranded in Mill Valley. The National Weather Service has issued a coastal flood advisory for the Bay Area, which remains in effect through Thursday afternoon as rising tides are expected to bring water significantly above normal levels.