Strong Storm Approaching Bay Area
San Francisco and the broader Bay Area are bracing for a storm system expected to bring strong winds and heavy rain. Residents have been advised to prepare for potential road closures and adverse weather conditions.
- This weather event is comprised of at least two back-to-back storm systems originating from the Gulf of Alaska, with the second system expected to arrive Tuesday and produce an additional inch of rain. - A coastal flood advisory is in effect through Tuesday, with the National Weather Service forecasting up to one foot of inundation along the San Francisco Bay shoreline, potentially flooding roadways and parking lots. - Wind gusts are forecast to reach 35 to 45 mph, with the potential for gusts up to 55 mph in higher elevations, creating a risk of power outages and hazardous conditions for high-profile vehicles. - A 2015 study by the Bay Area Council Economic Institute estimated that a severe "atmospheric river" storm could cause over $10.4 billion in economic damages, including $85.7 million from airport closures and flight delays. - Previous major storms have had significant financial consequences; the series of storms in January 2023 caused at least $46 million in damages to homes, businesses, and city-owned property in San Francisco. - San Francisco's combined sewer system, which handles both sewage and storm water, is particularly vulnerable to flooding during intense rainfall, a factor that has previously exacerbated damage to businesses in low-lying areas like the Mission District. - The storm that hit the Bay Area in January 1982 resulted in the damage of 6,300 homes and 1,500 businesses, with landslides being a primary cause of the destruction.
