Powerful Storm Hits SoCal, Bringing Flooding and Snow

Heavy rain, high winds, and mountain snow cause dangerous conditions across the region.

Published on Feb. 18, 2026

A powerful storm system delivered heavy rain, flooding, and mountain snow across Southern California on Monday, triggering roadway rescues and dangerous driving conditions. The storm brought colder winter temperatures, street flooding, high winds, and significant snowfall in the mountain communities. Issues popped up throughout the region, including flooded businesses, stranded drivers, and a fallen tree on a car. More rain is expected in the coming days as two additional storms are headed toward SoCal.

Why it matters

The severe weather caused significant disruptions and safety concerns across the region, highlighting the need for emergency preparedness and infrastructure resilience as extreme weather events become more frequent due to climate change.

The details

The storm brought colder winter temperatures, street flooding, high winds, and a hefty amount of snowfall in the mountain communities. Issues popped up throughout the region, including flooded businesses in the Fairfax District, stranded drivers in Commerce, and a massive tree falling on a car in Crestline.

  • The storm hit Southern California on Monday, February 17, 2026.
  • More rain is expected throughout the week, with two additional storms headed toward SoCal.

The players

Southern California

The region impacted by the powerful storm system.

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What’s next

Authorities are urging residents to stay vigilant and prepared as the additional storms are expected to bring more heavy rain and potential flooding to the region.

The takeaway

The severe weather event highlights the need for proactive measures to address the impacts of climate change, including investing in infrastructure improvements and emergency response capabilities to protect communities from the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather.