Storms, Olympics Leadership Fight, And Cleanup Top Today’s L.A. Headlines
Los Angeles, CA – February 18, 2026 – Storm warnings, Olympic leadership turmoil, and storm cleanup lead today’s top stories across Los Angeles neighborhoods.
Los Angeles, CA – February 18, 2026 – A new round of storms, a high-profile clash over Olympic leadership, and ongoing cleanup from earlier flooding are shaping today’s news across the city.
Heavy rain, flood watch, and renewed evacuation worries
A fresh Pacific storm is pushing into Los Angeles, bringing another burst of heavy rain, gusty winds, and the risk of flash flooding through early Wednesday. Forecasters expect the heaviest downpours between Tuesday evening and early Wednesday morning, with showers likely to linger into late week.
The National Weather Service has a flood watch in effect for much of Los Angeles County, warning that saturated hillsides and recent burn scar areas remain especially vulnerable to mud and debris flows. Evacuation warnings have focused on canyon neighborhoods and burn zones on the Westside, where officials say even brief cloudbursts could trigger dangerous runoff.
Residents are being urged to avoid flooded streets, move cars off low-lying roadways, and have go-bags ready if they live below steep slopes. Coastal visitors are also being warned about high surf and strong rip currents as the storm drives large waves into area beaches.
Westside streets flood again as infrastructure comes under scrutiny
Monday’s earlier storm left a visible mark on parts of the city, particularly on the Westside. Sections of the 101 Freeway briefly flooded, and businesses along busy commercial corridors such as Melrose Avenue reported water pouring into storefronts, damaging inventory and flooring.
Some business owners and local leaders are now calling for a closer look at the city’s drainage and pumping systems. They argue that equipment meant to prevent repeat flooding either failed or was not fully staffed, turning a strong but expected storm into a costly mess. City officials have signaled support for reviewing how stormwater systems performed and whether maintenance or response changes are needed before the next big rain.
With more showers on the way, transportation crews are watching known trouble spots, from clogged storm drains on major arterials to canyon roads that have already seen rockslides and closures this week.
Mayor Bass presses Olympic committee chair to step down
Beyond the weather, political pressure is mounting over the leadership of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic and Paralympic Games. Mayor Karen Bass has publicly said that Casey Wasserman, the chair of the LA28 organizing committee, should step aside following renewed scrutiny of his past email exchanges with Ghislaine Maxwell, a close associate of Jeffrey Epstein.
The LA28 board recently decided to keep Wasserman in place after an outside review, but a growing group of local elected officials argue that the controversy is a distraction as the city ramps up preparations for the Games. Bass has emphasized that while City Hall does not control LA28’s leadership decisions, she believes the event should be led by someone who will not overshadow the Games with questions about past associations.
The debate comes at a critical moment, as planners juggle rising costs, infrastructure needs, and concerns about who will ultimately bear financial risk if budgets run over.
Staying prepared
City and county agencies are urging Angelenos to stay weather aware this week, sign up for emergency alerts, and avoid unnecessary driving during the heaviest rain. For hillside and burn scar communities, officials stress that heeding evacuation warnings early remains one of the most important steps residents can take to stay safe.
Sources
- https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2026-02-16/la-mayor-bass-says-la28-head-wasserman-should-step-down
- https://westsidetoday.com/2026/02/17/heavy-rain-flood-watch-and-evacuation-warnings-issued-across-los-angeles-as-new-storm-moves-in
- https://www.timeout.com/los-angeles/news/is-the-l-a-storm-over-the-latest-on-this-weeks-evacuation-warnings-flood-advisories-and-more-021826
- https://www.smobserved.com/story/2026/02/16/news/second-in-a-series-of-storms-floods-many-westside-streets-wednesday/9670.html
- https://en.as.com/latest_news/severe-storm-warning-in-california-with-possible-tornadoes-and-flooding-affected-areas-f202602-n
