Weather-driven fog, flooding, and beach/coastal hazards impacting Bay Area roads

Bay Area weather and coastal road hazards

The Bay Area continues to grapple with a relentless multi-hazard weather event combining king tide flooding, heavy rains, dense fog, and gusty winds that have severely disrupted transportation infrastructure across coastal and inland corridors. Recent developments, including a newly announced extended full closure of eastbound I-80 in San Francisco and intensified lane restrictions on Highway 1, underscore the mounting challenges facing regional mobility, emergency response, and infrastructure resilience.

Expanded and Extended Road Closures Exacerbate Bay Area Transportation Crisis

The closure of Highway 1 in Pacifica, triggered by downed utility lines amid storm-driven winds, remains a significant choke point for coastal travel. This critical artery linking San Francisco with Peninsula and northern coastal communities is closed in both directions with no confirmed reopening date as crews continue restoration amid ongoing coastal erosion and flooding.

Adding to this, Caltrans District 5 has issued a lane closure notification for northbound Highway 1 between Rio del Mar Blvd. and State Park Drive on Saturday, February 28, further impacting traffic flow along this vulnerable corridor. This partial lane closure compounds the difficulty of maintaining reliable passage on a route already under stress from repeated storm damage.

Meanwhile, the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) announced a 55-hour full closure of eastbound I-80 between 17th Street and 4th Street, starting the evening of Friday, February 28. This extended shutdown is necessary to conduct critical maintenance and infrastructure upgrades but is poised to significantly disrupt travel during an already congested period.

Motorists are strongly advised to seek alternate routes and prepare for heavy congestion on surface streets and other freeway segments.
The closure follows recent transit disruptions, including a brief northbound 3rd Street closure affecting transit services.

Widespread Flooding, Erosion, and Weather Hazards Impact Multiple Bay Area Routes

The combination of king tides, persistent heavy rain, and gusty winds continues to produce hazardous conditions across multiple key routes:

US-101 in the North Bay experiences intermittent flooding and debris accumulation, causing frequent lane closures and slowdowns.
Critical freight corridors such as Highways 37, 121, and 99 face recurrent inundation near junctions like Garner Lane and Keefer Road, straining Northern California’s supply chain reliability.
Highway 12 near Sonoma remains partially closed due to washouts exacerbated by heavy rain, following a tragic fatal multi-vehicle crash amid poor weather on February 16.
Hillside routes show ongoing instability:
- Highway 9 near Lorenzo Avenue remains under one-way traffic control with reduced speeds until April 1 as slope stabilization projects continue.
- The indefinite closure of Highway 84 near Sky Londa persists, forcing long detours for commuters and freight.
Local construction projects compound disruptions:
- The upcoming full closure of Civic Center Drive at Redwood Highway in San Rafael for roundabout construction will add congestion.
Gust-driven downed trees and power lines result in temporary closures across the region, including recent lane restrictions on Park Presidio Boulevard (San Francisco) and I-580 at MacArthur Boulevard (Oakland).

Hazardous Weather Conditions and Dense Fog Increase Travel Risks

The National Weather Service (NWS) has expanded its weather advisories with a Dense Fog Advisory specifically for the San Francisco Bay Shoreline, including San Francisco and the East Bay shoreline. Visibility frequently drops below a quarter-mile overnight and during early mornings, further complicating travel amid already slick and flooded roadways.

The combination of dense fog, rain-slick surfaces, and standing floodwaters heightens hydroplaning risks and has contributed to multiple multi-vehicle crashes on major highways such as US-101, I-80, I-280, SR-1 (Pacific Coast Highway), and the Dumbarton Bridge.
Lightning strikes during recent storms have caused localized power outages and spikes in emergency calls.
Persistent gusty winds continue to down trees and power lines, triggering temporary closures and disruptions.
Local media, including KRON4’s Dan Kerman, report significantly increased evening commute times exiting San Francisco, largely attributed to these hazardous conditions.

Major Traffic Incidents and Emergency Response Challenges

Storm-driven road hazards have led to a surge in serious crashes, further compounding congestion and straining emergency services:

A big-rig crash on northbound US-101 near Rohnert Park on Friday morning resulted in multi-mile backups.
A two-vehicle collision on eastbound SR-24 near Orinda’s Wilder Road offramp caused significant lane restrictions during Thursday’s commute.
Fatal crashes continue to mount across the region, including:
- San José’s fourth traffic fatality in 2026 near Capitol Avenue on February 7.
- A fatal hit-and-run pedestrian incident downtown San José.
- A fatal motorcycle crash on Highway 9 in the Santa Cruz Mountains.
- Fatal pedestrian and vehicle collisions in San Leandro and Fremont, with suspects at large.
- A suspected DUI crash in Antioch critically injuring two women.
Hazardous materials incidents have further complicated traffic and safety:
- An overturned gasoline tanker on US-101 in San José necessitated road closures and environmental containment.
- A gas leak following a collision on SR-85 near Camden Avenue prompted neighborhood evacuations.
The Golden Gate Bridge experienced two multi-vehicle pileups on Monday morning, damaging seven vehicles and causing severe rush-hour delays.
A multi-injury crash at a Santa Rosa shopping plaza involving a vehicle striking a market required extensive emergency response.
Routine spinouts and slowdowns on slick roads have become daily challenges for drivers and first responders alike.

Ongoing Transportation Agency Actions and Infrastructure Efforts

Regional agencies maintain active efforts to mitigate impacts and restore mobility amid the storm’s persistence:

The southbound I-680 express lane between Alameda and Contra Costa counties remains a vital alternative during peak travel hours.
Plans for a full closure of the Stone Valley Road on-ramp to southbound I-680 in Alamo were canceled, easing potential congestion.
San Leandro officials have announced upcoming temporary closures to support infrastructure upgrades.
Caltrans crews continue emergency repairs, debris clearance, and slope stabilization, prioritizing vulnerable coastal routes and hillside highways.
The SFMTA has issued advisories for brief transit service changes related to ongoing maintenance and emergency repairs.
Travelers should anticipate extended delays and detours, particularly with the newly scheduled 55-hour closure of eastbound I-80 in San Francisco starting February 28.

Traveler Guidance: Prioritize Safety and Stay Informed

Given the complex and hazardous conditions, transportation officials urge all travelers to:

Use low-beam headlights when driving in fog to improve visibility without causing glare.
Reduce speeds and increase following distances on wet, flooded, or slick roads to mitigate hydroplaning risks.
Never attempt to drive through standing or flowing floodwaters, which can be deceptively deep and dangerous.
Stay updated through official channels:
- Caltrans Road Conditions
- Caltrans Near Me app for live traffic alerts.
Obey all posted closures and detours, including:
- El Cerro on-ramp to I-680 closure through February 8.
- Shutdowns on San Pablo Avenue, W. Evelyn Avenue, Marina Boulevard, and Washington Avenue.
- Lane restrictions and one-way controls on Highway 9 near Lorenzo Avenue.
- Lane restrictions on Highway 152.
- Indefinite closure of Highway 84 near Sky Londa.
- Upcoming full closure of Civic Center Drive at Redwood Highway in San Rafael.
- Newly announced 55-hour full closure of eastbound I-80 from 17th Street to 4th Street starting February 28.

Conclusion: Urgent Need for Resilience and Preparedness Amid Escalating Climate Risks

The Bay Area’s transportation network remains under intense strain as a prolonged sequence of weather-driven hazards continues to disrupt critical coastal and inland corridors. The ongoing closure of Highway 1 in Pacifica, combined with expanding flooding, major crashes, dense fog advisories, and the newly extended closure of eastbound I-80 in San Francisco, highlight acute vulnerabilities worsened by climate-change amplified storm patterns.

While emergency repairs and operational adjustments provide some relief, these developments emphasize the urgent imperative for accelerated investment in resilient infrastructure, enhanced emergency preparedness, and clear public communication to safeguard mobility, safety, and economic vitality in the face of increasingly volatile climate conditions.

Essential Resources for Bay Area Travelers

Caltrans Road Conditions: https://dot.ca.gov
Caltrans Near Me App: Live traffic updates and notifications
National Weather Service Bay Area: Latest forecasts and hazard alerts

Travelers are strongly encouraged to remain vigilant, plan routes carefully, and prioritize safety as the Bay Area navigates these evolving multi-hazard weather challenges.

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