Los Angeles Local Briefing: Storm Damage, Safety Efforts, and Olympic Turmoil
Los Angeles, CA – February 23, 2026 – Storm cleanup, flood safety moves, and fresh pressure on LA28 leadership top today’s headlines across the city.
Los Angeles Daily Local Roundup
Los Angeles, CA residents are starting the week with storm cleanup, renewed safety planning, and growing scrutiny of Olympic leadership.
Powerful Storms Leave Damage Across the Region
Heavy thunderstorms over the weekend battered Southern California with 1 to 3 inches of rain in many areas and even higher totals in the mountains. Wind gusts that reached roughly 50 to 70 mph knocked down trees, damaged roofs, and contributed to flooding on roads and in some businesses.
Flood watches remain a concern for parts of Los Angeles County as additional rounds of rain are expected this week. Officials continue to warn about the risk of flash flooding, debris flows, and mudslides, especially near recent burn scars and steep hillsides.
City Moves Forward on Flood-Prone Streets Plan
Against the backdrop of back-to-back storms, the Los Angeles City Council has advanced a coordinated flood preparedness plan aimed at streets that repeatedly flood during heavy rain. The motion directs multiple departments to work from a single playbook when storms hit.
The plan focuses on pre-storm preparation, traffic management when roads become impassable, and clear roles for police, fire, transportation, and street services. Areas that have seen frequent flooding, including corridors near major thoroughfares and airports, are expected to receive special attention.
Residents are being urged to avoid driving through standing water, report blocked storm drains, and give first responders space to operate when severe weather moves in.
Mayor Bass Ups Pressure on LA28 Chair
City Hall is also in the spotlight after Mayor Karen Bass publicly called for LA28 chair Casey Wasserman to step down from leading the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles. Her comments mark a sharper break from earlier weeks, when she said the decision rested with the LA28 board.
Bass cited concerns about Wasserman’s past association with Ghislaine Maxwell and the need for Olympic leadership that reflects the values the city wants to project in 2028. Several local elected officials have already urged a leadership change, arguing that ongoing controversy could distract from preparations for the games.
The LA28 board has previously stood by Wasserman after reviewing his conduct, so the mayor’s new stance may intensify political pressure but does not by itself force a change at the top.
What to Watch Next
In the days ahead, residents should keep an eye on updated storm forecasts, any localized flood advisories, and further City Council discussions on infrastructure and emergency planning. On the Olympic front, attention will be on whether the LA28 board responds in any way to the mayor’s public call for new leadership.
Sources
- https://nationaltoday.com/us/ca/los-angeles/news/2026/02/21/damaging-winds-and-rain-batter-southern-california-1/
- https://lafd.org/news/current-storm-alerts-and-preparation-information
- https://lakebalboanc.org/2026/02/council-advances-flood-preparedness-for-flood-prone-streets/
- https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2026-02-16/la-mayor-bass-says-la28-head-wasserman-should-step-down
