by Marin County, California — King tides combined with days of heavy rainfall caused widespread flooding across parts of Marin County over the weekend, inundating homes, streets, and businesses in low-lying communities such as Larkspur and Corte Madera. Residents described the flooding as some of the worst they have seen in years, with repeated tidal surges compounding the damage and exhaustion.
Creek overflows as neighborhoods flood rapidly
Just after 11 a.m. Sunday, Corte Madera Creek overflowed its banks, sending floodwaters rushing into the Larkspur Marina neighborhood. By noon, roughly half of the neighborhood’s streets were underwater, forcing residents to scramble as water levels rose quickly.
Road closures followed as emergency crews worked to keep drivers out of submerged areas. In some locations, only high-profile vehicles were able to pass through knee-deep water.
Homeowners battle rising water with pumps and sandbags
Longtime Larkspur resident Colette Tanaka, who has lived in the area for 23 years, spent the day trying to protect her home using pumps and sandbags.
“We’re trying to keep it as dry as possible. Every sump pump, every sandbag,” Tanaka said. “But this is just kind of normal for this area. But this is really much worse than we’ve ever seen.”
Like many homes in the neighborhood, Tanaka’s house is elevated several feet off the ground, which helped keep the living area dry. Her garage, however, flooded, leaving her uncertain about the extent of the damage.
“I’ve got the contractors coming tomorrow and see if we have to redo the concrete on the floor or tear stuff out,” she said.
Streets submerged as residents check on loved ones
In parts of Riviera Circle, floodwaters reached knee height, making travel difficult and dangerous. Larkspur resident Grant Grobecker drove through the area to check on his home and ensure his family was safe.
“This is my house right here,” Grobecker said. “You can see the right corner just barely being touched by the water. Front door wise, there’s no water, so I’d say my house is doing better than a lot of these other houses.”
Despite some homes avoiding major interior damage, garages throughout the neighborhood were flooded, putting appliances and stored belongings at risk.
“Look at this, this door just got destroyed,” Grobecker added, pointing to flood damage nearby.
Repeated king tides worsen impact
Sunday marked the fourth consecutive day of king tides, giving residents little relief between flooding events. Many had already moved valuables to higher ground, but heavier items like washers and dryers remained difficult to protect.
Despite the frustration, some residents expressed a sense of resignation.
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“It’s mother nature, we just do what we can,” Tanaka said.
Businesses forced to close in Corte Madera
A few blocks away in Corte Madera, flooding rendered several roads impassable and forced businesses to shut down. Big 5 Sporting Goods and Fitness SF were among those impacted.
Sebastyen Jackovics, co-owner of Fitness SF, said the flooding was unprecedented in the gym’s 35-year history at the location.
“We’ve been at this location for 35 years, and we’ve never seen it this bad,” Jackovics said. “There have been floods here on Lucky Drive, but not like this.”
The gym has remained closed since Friday afternoon, as staff worked to keep water out and begin cleanup.
Damage reported as cleanup delayed
Jackovics said some damage had already occurred inside the facility.
“There were some electronics that got damaged in offices; it just caught us by surprise,” he said. “The gym itself has a couple of inches of water in certain areas, but we’re able to defend it pretty well because we’re sandbagged up and we have pumps going.”
Other residents echoed similar concerns, noting that Saturday appeared to be the worst day for flooding, with water levels slightly lower on Sunday.
Fatigue sets in as residents wait for tides to pass
Marin County resident Dixie Hurst described how high the water reached in a backyard she was monitoring.
“Yesterday, the water was all the way up to the top of my boot,” Hurst said. “So it was probably almost 12 inches. You could not see any grass.”
With additional king tides possible, many residents and business owners said they cannot fully assess damage or begin repairs until the threat passes. After days of repeated flooding, fatigue and uncertainty are growing.
“Talk to me next year, we’ve got a date,” Tanaka said, reflecting on questions about whether staying in the neighborhood is sustainable long-term.
Watching forecasts as flooding threat continues
As cleanup remains on hold, Marin County residents are closely monitoring weather and tide forecasts. Officials continue urging caution in low-lying areas, warning that even small additional surges could quickly undo temporary improvements.
Have king tides or flooding affected your neighborhood this weekend?
Share your experience, photos, or tips in the comments and join the conversation as Bay Area communities cope with repeated flood events.
