UC Davis study identifies Bay Area flood risk – KTVU

UC Davis study identifies Bay Area flood risk  KTVU

A new report from the UC Davis Road Ecology Center warns that a combination of King Tides, a Kelvin Wave, and El Niño conditions could cause severe winter flooding across the Bay Area. A new study from UC Davis shows that many Bay Area regions would be impacted by the combination of a Kelvin wave, El Nino and King Tides all potentially coming together this winter. SAN JOSE, Calif. – A new study from UC Davis indicates that several low-lying areas across California and the Bay Area could experience severe winter flooding due to a rare convergence of meteorological events. The report highlights how the combined effects of upcoming King Tides, a strong El Niño pattern, and an invisible sea-level rise known as a "Kelvin Wave" could push high tides and sea levels to unprecedented heights.

When the remnants of Tropical Storm Rachel struck Southern California earlier this month, coastal communities in Newport Beach, Huntington Beach, and Long Beach suffered heavy damage. Waves exceeded 17 feet, damaging or destroying dozens of homes. Dr. Fraser Shilling, director of the UC Davis Road Ecology Center and lead author of the report, utilized GIS mapping and flood prediction data to assess Northern California's vulnerability. "We have places that have never flooded in this way before, but the fact that they flood gives us