Topanga Canyon Boulevard Closed Ahead of Powerful Storm

Local businesses prepare for disruptions as officials warn of possible rock slides and debris flows

Published on Feb. 17, 2026

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Parts of Topanga Canyon Boulevard, a major connector between the San Fernando Valley and the coast, were shut down on Sunday night as officials warn of possible rock slides and debris flows ahead of an incoming winter storm. Local business owners are preparing for another round of disruptions, with some saying the repeated closures have already taken a toll on their operations.

Why it matters

Topanga Canyon Boulevard is a critical transportation route for residents and businesses in the area. Repeated closures due to extreme weather events can significantly impact the local economy and disrupt daily life for those who rely on the road.

The details

The roadway was closed from Pacific Coast Highway to Grand View Drive, leaving local businesses like Monty's on Topanga Canyon Boulevard and Cafe Mimosa bracing for the impact. Michael Levine, the owner of Monty's, said he is remaining optimistic despite the storm forecast, noting that his business has weathered many storms in the canyon over the decades. However, Pauline Cohn, the co-owner of Cafe Mimosa, said the repeated closures have already drastically affected their business and other owners in the area.

  • The roadway was shut down on Sunday night ahead of the incoming storm.
  • Officials say the road may not reopen until after the storm passes.

The players

Topanga Canyon Boulevard

A major connector between the San Fernando Valley and the coast in California.

Michael Levine

The owner of Monty's on Topanga Canyon Boulevard.

Pauline Cohn

The co-owner of Cafe Mimosa, a business located in the Topanga Canyon area.

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What they’re saying

“We're going through floods in Topanga. How would you like to have the storms on the East Coast? We all get through it.”

— Michael Levine, Owner, Monty's on Topanga Canyon Boulevard (abc7.com)

“We've been dealing with the road closures for some months now, especially after the fires, so it has drastically affected our business, and a lot of other owners in the area.”

— Pauline Cohn, Co-owner, Cafe Mimosa (abc7.com)

What’s next

Officials say Topanga Canyon Boulevard will remain closed until crews can inspect the roadway and determine it is safe to reopen, which may not happen until after the storm passes.

The takeaway

The repeated closures of Topanga Canyon Boulevard due to extreme weather events highlight the importance of investing in infrastructure resilience and emergency preparedness to support local businesses and communities that rely on critical transportation routes.