Coastal Flood — Northern Humboldt Coast, California

2026-01-03 · Northern Humboldt Coast, California

Event narrative

New record high tide measured at the North Spit Tide Gauge of 10.37 FT MLLW at 11 am, exceeding the record stage measured the day before of 10.01 FT MLLW. Impacts in the Humboldt Bay area were extreme with over 40 homes, 2 businesses, and multiple cars flooded in King Salmon. All roads in King Salmon were flooded. Jackson Ranch Road in the Arcata Bottom was flooded and closed. Water was reported on numerous secondary streets in the Eureka area including the waterfront parking lots and roads in Old Town near the Jack's Seafood restaurant. Water crossed Highway 255 near the Eureka Slough and reached the side of Highway 101 on Highway 101 near Tompkins Hill Road. Flooding also closed the tunnel on Woodley Island, flooded Vance Avenue in Samoa, flooded New Navy Base Road near the RV park, flooded Pine Hill Road at the intersection of Elk River Road, flooded Cannibal Island Road in the Eel River delta, flooded Camp Weott Road, and flooded the Humboldt Bay trail extensively.

Wider weather episode

Storm systems continued to bring rain to Northwest California in early January. Persistent south winds resulted in over 1.5 feet of storm surge along the coast resulting in inundation of many homes in the King Salmon area. The south winds also caused isolated power outages and a few downed trees. Flooding was generally restricted to the typical flooding locations around Humboldt Bay.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1316547. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.