State Route 37 Closed in Novato Due To Flooding

NOVATO, CA – A portion of State Route 37 in Novato remains closed Monday, following rain and flooding over the weekend.

Both directions of the highway were initially closed between U.S. Highway 101 and Atherton Avenue just before 7 a.m. Sunday, according to the California Highway Patrol.

“Our crews have been running all over the county today handling calls for weather-related problems,” CHP officials said in a statement on Sunday. “From flooded roads to mud slides to vehicle collisions resulting from unsafe speed on the wet roadways, we have had our hands full.”

By late Sunday evening, officials said flooding on Atherton Avenue was cleared and Caltrans moved the closure point from Lakeville Road to Atherton Avenue, allowing drivers to access Marin County using SR-37. The section of roadway between US-101 and Atherton Avenue, however, was still under water and remained closed.

CHP officials said the area may be closed into this week, as the marsh lands on both sides of the highway are completely flooded, leaving crews with nowhere to pump the water on the roadway.

"We will continue to monitor this situation and work closely with our partners at Caltrans and the Marin County Department of Public Works to get this roadway open as soon as possible," officials said.

Drivers who use Highway 37 during their weekly commute are advised to plan ahead for delays and to use alternative routes.

The same section of the highway was closed more than a week ago also due to flooding as a result of stormy weather. The roadway took nearly a week to clear.

Bay City News contributed to this report.