Highway 1 Closed After Storm Triggers Mudslides

Caltrans crews plan to reassess the closure on Tuesday morning.

Published on Feb. 18, 2026

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Monday's storm resulted in rock and mudslides on Highway 1 in San Luis Obispo and Monterey counties, leading to the closure of the highway from Ragged Point in San Luis Obispo County to one mile south of the Deetjen's Big Sur Inn in Monterey County. Slides and debris at multiple locations prompted the closure, according to Caltrans.

Why it matters

Highway 1 is a critical transportation route along the central California coast, and closures due to weather events can significantly impact travel and commerce in the region. Mudslides and debris on the highway pose safety risks to drivers and can cause extended disruptions to traffic.

The details

Caltrans crews are currently assessing the damage and plan to reevaluate the closure on Tuesday morning. The heavy rain from Monday's storm triggered the rock and mudslides that led to the highway closure at multiple points along the route.

  • The closure began on Monday, February 17, 2026.
  • Caltrans crews plan to reassess the closure on Tuesday morning.

The players

Caltrans

The California Department of Transportation, responsible for maintaining and overseeing the state's highway system.

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What’s next

Caltrans crews will reevaluate the closure on Tuesday morning and determine when Highway 1 can be safely reopened to traffic.

The takeaway

This closure highlights the ongoing challenges of maintaining critical transportation infrastructure in the face of extreme weather events, which are expected to become more frequent due to climate change. Proactive planning and investment in resilient infrastructure will be crucial for ensuring the reliability of highways like Highway 1 in the future.