Irvine Daily: Storm Alerts, Big Homebuilder Sale, and Community Celebrations

Local Headlines

Irvine, CA – February 18, 2026 – Storm alerts, a major homebuilder sale, and recent cultural and sports highlights are shaping today’s news around town.


Stormy skies and overnight thunderstorm warning

Heavy winter weather continues to affect Irvine and the rest of Orange County this week. On February 18, the National Weather Service issued a pre-dawn severe thunderstorm warning that included Irvine and much of northern Orange County, citing radar-indicated storms capable of strong winds and damage to trees or roofs. Residents were urged to stay indoors and move to interior rooms during the height of the storm.

This comes on the heels of a flood advisory on February 16 that covered Orange County communities including Irvine. Forecasters warned of minor flooding in low-lying or poor-drainage areas and advised drivers not to attempt to cross water-covered roads. While impacts remained mostly localized, the back-to-back alerts are a reminder to watch creek levels, avoid flooded underpasses, and give extra travel time during downpours.

Tri Pointe Homes sale reshapes Irvine’s housing landscape

One of Irvine’s best-known corporate residents, Tri Pointe Homes, is moving toward new ownership in a multibillion-dollar deal. Sumitomo Forestry, a Japan-based company with a growing U.S. footprint, has agreed to acquire Tri Pointe Homes in an all-cash transaction valued at about $4.5 billion. The agreement, announced last week, would take the Irvine-headquartered builder private while keeping its brand and operations in place.

The deal still faces shareholder and regulatory approvals, with closing expected later this year. For Irvine, the acquisition underscores how attractive the city’s homebuilding and real estate ecosystem has become to global investors. Local impacts in the near term are expected to center on corporate staffing, charitable partnerships, and future residential projects in and around Orange County as the combined company maps out its strategy.

Community spotlight: Lunar New Year at the Great Park

Irvine’s Great Park recently hosted its first large-scale Lunar New Year parade and festival, drawing thousands of residents for a day of cultural performances, food, and family activities. The city partnered with local cultural organizations and the Asian American Museum at the Great Park to stage dance, music, and martial arts demonstrations along the park’s timeline walkway.

Performance groups based in Irvine helped anchor the event, including children’s choirs, folk dancers, and Wushu teams that regularly rehearse in neighborhood community centers. Organizers say the strong turnout is a sign that Lunar New Year programming is becoming a permanent fixture of the city’s winter calendar, adding another major cultural celebration alongside existing festivals at the park.

College sports roundup: Anteaters on a roll

Just up the road at UC Irvine, several Anteater teams are riding early-season momentum. Women’s basketball remains among the nation’s most efficient defensive squads in Division I, while men’s volleyball has surged into the national top tier after a strong start that included wins over high-ranked opponents. Baseball also opened its 2026 campaign with a road sweep and now returns home for a long stretch at the Bren Events Center and nearby diamond.

For Irvine residents, the packed schedule means plenty of low-cost, family-friendly sports options close to home. With homestands looming for multiple teams, parking and campus traffic may tick up on game nights around the university area.

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