King tide brings some flooding to Bay Area

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- An unusually high tide called a king tide is hitting the Bay Area. It's the highest tide of the year and has the potential to cause problems.

A lot of people came out to San Francisco's Embarcadero on Monday morning to catch a look at the unusually thick fog. And while out there, they learned that Mother Nature had something else to show them.

As the water started to rise, people started wondering why. The king tide is so rare, a lot of people have never heard of it.

"No, I haven't seen king tide," said Fairfax resident Doug Frost. "I've seen king cake and I've seen other things named king. But I've not seen a king tide. I mean, I've probably seen the king tide cause I've lived in the Bay Area for many years, but I just never knew it was called the king tide."

King tide is the highest tide. It occurs in the winter and lasts up to three days. Some, who are familiar with them, are looking forward to catching a glimpse.

"Pretty amazing," said Alameda resident Jamie Winkel. "Yeah, I might try to come out and see it if I can."

It's neat to see if it doesn't cause you problems.

Sunday's king tide caused some flooding in Mill Valley. The Stinson Beach exit was closed because of standing water. And the Shoreline Highway had to be shut down because of all the water. The parking lot at the Holiday Inn Express also flooded.

Fort Point in San Francisco is another spot where high water will create some flooding. And you better have on rain boots if walking on the Embarcadero during the king tide.

"Pretty amazing, quite a phenomenon," Winkel said.

At 11 a.m. Monday, the water along the Embarcadero was right on the rim. It's expected to bubble over and come up on the sidewalk, perhaps over onto the street.

Experts say it's a preview of what the Bay Area can expect as global warming causes sea levels to rise.

Another king tide is expected in mid-January and possibly again in mid-February.