Rain drenches SLO County, causes rock slides on Highway 1

The latest storm brings over 1.8 inches of rain to some areas, with more wet weather on the way.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Following an unseasonably warm few weeks, heavy rain returned to San Luis Obispo County on Tuesday, with some areas receiving over 1.8 inches. The rain also caused rock slides that briefly closed a section of Highway 1 in Monterey County overnight, though the road was reopened by morning. More rain and cooler temperatures are expected in the coming days.

Why it matters

The heavy rainfall is a welcome sight for the drought-stricken region, though the rock slides highlight the potential for weather-related disruptions to transportation and infrastructure. The changing weather patterns also reflect the broader climate trends impacting California.

The details

Rocky Butte recorded the highest local rainfall total with 1.81 inches, while other areas saw between 0.17 and 1.33 inches. The rain caused rock slides that briefly closed a section of Highway 1 in Monterey County overnight, though Caltrans crews were able to clear the debris and reopen the road by 8:45 a.m.

  • The rain began on Tuesday, February 11, 2026.
  • The rock slides on Highway 1 occurred overnight on February 11-12, 2026.
  • Highway 1 was fully reopened by 8:45 a.m. on February 12, 2026.

The players

Caltrans

The California Department of Transportation, responsible for maintaining and reopening Highway 1 after the rock slides.

National Weather Service

The federal agency that provided rainfall data and weather forecasts for San Luis Obispo County.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

Forecasters expect intermittent showers to continue through Wednesday, followed by brighter weather and cooler temperatures over the weekend. However, more wet weather is likely to return on Sunday, kicking off several additional days of rain.

The takeaway

This storm highlights the ongoing challenges of extreme weather events in California, from heavy rainfall causing transportation disruptions to the broader impacts of climate change on the state's weather patterns. Preparing for and adapting to these changes will be crucial for communities like San Luis Obispo County.