California Faces Record Sea Levels Due to El Niño and King Tides
California Faces Record Sea Levels Due to El Niño and King Tides
US · Published Aug 11, 2026
California is bracing for potentially record-breaking sea levels this year, driven by a combination of a historic El Niño event, climate change, and extreme tides.
According to climate scientist Daniel Swain, this event is expected to intensify in the coming weeks, with significant risks of coastal flooding during the winter.

Impact & Risks

The rising sea levels pose a significant risk of coastal flooding, particularly in low-lying areas near the San Francisco, San Pablo, and Monterey bays. Locations such as Manzanita in Marin County and the Embarcadero in San Francisco are at heightened risk. Flooding could extend inland, affecting areas along the Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers. Vulnerable roadways, including Highway 1 and Highway 101, may also experience disruptions. While this week’s king tides are expected to be less severe than those in January, which reached 7.16 feet, the current tides are still forecasted to peak at 6.96 feet in San Francisco, potentially causing localized flooding and property damage.

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