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Today’s newsletter is 807 words — a 3-minute read.

Unusually high tides are overflowing onto SF's Embarcadero, raising concerns about more severe flooding during winter storms.

Why it matters: Higher sea levels combined with historic winter storms could flood waterfront roads, damage infrastructure, and disrupt low-lying neighborhoods, KQED reports.

Catch up quick: On Oct. 25, high tides flooded the Embarcadero, cutting off parts of Pier 14 and closing sections of the sidewalk and bike lane despite calm weather.

• SF's average sea level reached 12.4 inches above NOAA predictions in October, the largest monthly difference on record.
• More extreme tides are expected around Thanksgiving and Christmas.

How it works: Ocean and atmospheric conditions are raising coastal water levels even before winter storms arrive.

• El Niño-driven Kelvin waves are pulses of warm water that travel east across the Pacific before moving north along the West Coast, capable of raising coastal sea levels by 6 to 12 inches, per NOAA.
• This added rise can worsen flooding when combined with king tides, marine heat waves, and storm surges, according to KQED.

Flashback: Past El Niño and winter storms show how quickly conditions can overwhelm the waterfront.

• In February 1998, high winds, heavy rain, and elevated sea levels flooded Ocean Beach, the Embarcadero, and Highway 101 north of the Golden Gate Bridge.
• In the winter of 2022-23, king tides and storm surges pushed water levels to over 7 feet.

Threat level: The Embarcadero, particularly near the Ferry Building and Pier 14, is among the city's most vulnerable waterfront areas and includes "critical" infrastructure like BART and Muni, Eric Young, a Port of San Francisco spokesperson, told Axios.

• Other exposed locations include Fisherman's Wharf, Marina Green, Crissy Field, and Islais Creek near Dogpatch. Heavy rainfall could also overwhelm storm drains and flood inland neighborhoods.
• "Model simulations suggest that, without action, 100 to 500 structures and assets could be vulnerable to flooding by 2050," Young said. "By 2140, potential damages could reach $23 billion."

What's next: Two resilience efforts along the Embarcadero will reinforce vulnerable seawalls, raise the shoreline, and improve flood and earthquake resilience.

• Downtown construction is expected to begin in 2029, according to Young.

The bottom line: Temporary protections and individual preparedness will be key to weathering this winter's high tides and storms, per Young.

• The Port will install temporary flood barriers at four waterfront locations to reduce flood risk while preserving access.
• Young recommends that waterfront residents and businesses keep sandbags handy, move vehicles and valuables out of low-lying areas, secure outdoor equipment, and monitor weather alerts for disruptions.

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👀 Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang admitted to an extramarital affair with a woman suspected by U.S. intelligence officials of being a Chinese spy, prompting the chipmaker's board to launch an investigation into potential security risks. (SF Standard)

🍵 The San Francisco International Tea Festival returns to the Ferry Building Nov. 14-15. (KRON4)

⛽ Incoming District 8 Supervisor Gary McCoy wants to convert the site of one of the Castro's two gas stations into housing. (SFGATE)

🗳️ Progressives scored a victory with the passage of Prop. B, which lays the groundwork for a city-owned public bank, but lost their bid to dedicate more tax revenue to affordable housing through Prop. I. (SF Standard)

Every now and then, I get the urge to put down my phone and pick up a film camera.

• Most of the fun is not knowing what I've captured until days, months, and sometimes even years later.

📷 I recently stopped by this neighborhood spot to explore the magic of the darkroom up close.

• Can you tell us where it is?

🔎 Hint: Tucked beneath a local park, this institution has developed the city's photography community since 1940, and is the oldest and largest community wet darkroom in the U.S.

📬 Hit reply or email us to send your best guess!

🥹 Nadia is back from her trip to L.A, but she misses her friend.

Thanks to Jasmyne Eastmond for standing in for Nadia. This newsletter was edited by Geoff Ziezulewicz.