Updated on: February 16, 2026 / 10:21 PM PST
A significant winter storm impacted Southern California on Monday, resulting in widespread flooding across portions of Los Angeles and a forecast calling for continued precipitation. The relentless rainfall began early in the day and persisted throughout, disrupting the evening commute and inundating both commercial properties and residential areas. Aerial footage captured by SkyCal around 6:00 PM revealed multiple westbound lanes of the 101 Freeway near Van Nuys and Sepulveda boulevards submerged in substantial water.
Freeway Disruptions and Traffic Impacts
The heavy downpour created hazardous driving conditions on several key Los Angeles area freeways. On the 101 Freeway, motorists in the unaffected lanes maintained typical speeds, while those navigating the flooded right lanes were forced to significantly reduce their velocity as water sprayed from passing vehicles. Further north, in Granada Hills, the eastbound 118 Freeway connector to the southbound 405 Freeway experienced a complete lane closure due to standing water.
This blockage contributed to at least one reported traffic collision, also documented by SkyCal. The incident underscores the dangers posed by the severe weather and the potential for travel delays. Authorities urged drivers to exercise extreme caution and consider alternative routes where possible.
Business Owners Voice Concerns Over City Infrastructure
The flooding wasn’t limited to roadways; numerous businesses in the Fairfax District, specifically along Melrose Avenue near Martel Avenue, suffered water damage. Instead of attributing the issues to natural causes, several business owners directed criticism towards local government, citing a perceived lack of preventative measures. Austin Melrose, a local entrepreneur, expressed frustration, stating, “I don't know, I had faith in this equipment, but it's a lot of money, man. These guys' salaries aren't cheap, this equipment's not cheap and if it's not working anyways, why not pay to fix the problem?”
Another affected establishment, New Rock, was observed removing waterlogged merchandise from its storefront. Vahe, the store’s owner, emphasized the recurring nature of the problem, asserting, “The city needs to fix the water problem, because not just me, but other businesses get flooded too.” Despite the presence of a water-pumping truck in the area, reports indicated a lack of personnel available to operate the equipment or access critical drainage points.
City Council Response and Calls for Accountability
Los Angeles City Councilmember Katy Yaroslavsky, representing the impacted district, released a statement to CBS LA, labeling the flooding as “completely unacceptable.” Her statement highlighted prior assurances from LASAN (LA Sanitation and Environment) regarding the deployment of pump trucks and crews, a strategy that had proven effective in previous storms.
However, Yaroslavsky noted a significant delay and inadequacy in the current response, leaving businesses vulnerable to damage. She announced a demand for an immediate internal review within LASAN to pinpoint the cause of the breakdown, identify responsible parties, and implement swift corrective actions. Yaroslavsky also pointed to similar issues during the 2025 rainy season, where the timely deployment of pumping resources was delayed, resulting in prior flooding incidents. “We expect answers and we expect immediate change. This cannot happen again,” she stated.
In Koreatown, the popular restaurant "Gritz N' Wafflez" was forced to close early after experiencing significant water intrusion during service, with video showing several inches of water inside the establishment.
