FAIRFAX DISTRICT, LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Intense rainfall caused substantial flooding along Melrose Avenue on Monday, impacting numerous businesses in the Fairfax District and resulting in considerable property damage. Several storefronts were inundated with water, leaving owners to grapple with the aftermath and question preventative measures. The sudden surge of water caught many merchants off guard, rapidly filling their establishments.
Melrose Avenue Businesses Face Flood Damage
The deluge quickly overwhelmed drainage systems, leading to significant water accumulation within commercial spaces. Yaffa, proprietor of Posers Hollywood, recounted the swiftness of the event, stating, “I saw the water was coming up, and then it didn't take long, maybe 20 minutes, 30 minutes, and our whole store was full of water.” The speed at which the flooding occurred minimized the opportunity for protective action.
Nearby, Media Wine and Liquors also experienced substantial water intrusion. Aron Askor of Media Wine and Spirits described the scene, noting, “It was really horrible. The water, it was up to the base right there, about a foot.” He further emphasized the lack of water movement, highlighting a failure in drainage capacity.
Concerns Over City’s Flood Prevention Efforts
Despite the presence of Los Angeles city equipment strategically positioned in the area, business owners expressed disappointment with its effectiveness. These large blue trucks were intended to function as mobile pumping stations, clearing standing water from the historically flood-prone section of Melrose Avenue. However, their operation proved insufficient to prevent the widespread inundation.
Domenic DeLuca, owner of Brooklyn Projects, observed the water encroaching upon his store, initially believing the pre-positioned trucks would provide adequate protection. “First started going over the sidewalk, and I'm thinking, 'Well, the trucks are here, so we're going to be good.’ But that didn't work,” DeLuca explained. He detailed how the water level rapidly escalated, ultimately submerging his store to a depth of 4 to 5 inches.
Delayed Response and Financial Losses
DeLuca further expressed frustration at the apparent lack of personnel operating the equipment during the peak of the flooding. “I'm looking at my camera, there was nobody here,” he stated, questioning the oversight. “We ran out like, 'Is this guy not seeing what's going on?’ Nobody in this one, nobody in this one, nobody around.” A subsequent video revealed a crew eventually opening a manhole cover, facilitating drainage, but only after significant damage had already transpired.
The aftermath left piles of saturated merchandise on sidewalks and compromised store inventory. DeLuca lamented the loss of sellable goods, stating, “So basically, anything that's a size medium or large or extra-large, it's all a couple inches off the ground. It all got wet. I can't sell it now. I can't take it to the cleaners. It's for like donations, so I'm screwed.” Business owners estimate financial losses reaching tens of thousands of dollars. City crews were observed returning to the area Monday evening, deploying traffic cones and sandbags in anticipation of further storms.
Copyright © 2026 KABC Television, LLC. All rights reserved.
