Fast-Moving Storm Floods SoCal Freeways, Triggers Flash Flood Warning

Heavy rain hits Los Angeles area, causing traffic issues and flood concerns

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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A fast-moving storm system dumped over an inch of rain in parts of Southern California overnight, flooding several major freeways in the Los Angeles area and triggering a flash flood warning in a local burn scar. The storm moved through the region quickly, dropping rainfall at nearly 0.75 inches per hour in the Angeles National Forest before exiting the area by Wednesday morning.

Why it matters

Intense rainfall events can lead to dangerous flash flooding, especially in areas that have recently experienced wildfires, where the burned landscape is more prone to rapid runoff. The flooding of major highways also creates significant traffic disruptions and safety concerns for drivers in the region.

The details

The storm dumped over an inch of rain in Ojai, Ventura County and nearly 0.75 inches in downtown Los Angeles. This heavy rainfall led to flooding on several key freeways, including lanes of the 5, 710, and 110 freeways. The National Weather Service issued a flash flood warning for a local burn scar area due to the rapid rate of rainfall.

  • The storm moved through the Los Angeles area overnight on Tuesday.
  • By 6 a.m. Wednesday, the storm was exiting Los Angeles County, hours earlier than initially expected.

The players

National Weather Service

The federal agency responsible for weather forecasting and issuing weather-related warnings and advisories.

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What they’re saying

“Wow! That was some impressive rain that moved quickly through coastal Ventura County.”

— National Weather Service Oxnard Office (X)

What’s next

The rain is expected to continue on and off across the Southland before tapering off in the afternoon, according to the Weather Service forecast.

The takeaway

This storm highlights the need for infrastructure improvements and emergency preparedness in the Los Angeles region to mitigate the impacts of intense rainfall events, which are becoming more frequent due to climate change.