Stormy Skies, School Deal and HIV Funding Fight Lead San Francisco News

San Francisco, CA — February 17, 2026 — A powerful storm pattern, a landmark deal for public school staff, and a high-stakes fight over HIV funding are shaping the week in San Francisco.

Back‑to‑back storms batter Bay Area

San Francisco is in the path of another strong Pacific system after days of steady rain. Forecasters say multiple waves of moisture are bringing heavy showers, gusty winds and a heightened risk of flooding around the Bay.

Periods of intense rain are expected to continue through at least Tuesday, with totals over several days reaching several inches in parts of the region. Coastal flood advisories remain in effect as storm surge combines with high tides, and travel conditions may be hazardous during the heaviest downpours, especially on bridges and low‑lying roads.

Residents are being urged to watch for ponding on streets, minor coastal flooding and rapidly changing conditions on commutes. Colder air behind the systems is also driving significant Sierra snow, affecting holiday travel to and from the mountains.

San Francisco educators end rare strike

Thousands of San Francisco public school workers have ended a four‑day strike after union leaders and the district reached a tentative agreement late last week. The deal would fully fund family healthcare beginning in 2027 and includes pay increases aimed at helping staff keep pace with the city’s high cost of living.

The walkout, led by United Educators of San Francisco and representing roughly 6,000 teachers, librarians, social workers and nurses across more than 100 schools, was the city’s first teachers’ strike in nearly 50 years. Classes are resuming while union members prepare to vote on ratification in the coming days.

Union leaders say the agreement is a significant step toward stabilizing the educator workforce, while parent groups are watching closely to see how the district will fund the new commitments in future budgets.

HIV funding cuts put local health services at risk

City and community health officials are sounding the alarm after federal agencies moved to terminate major HIV prevention grants serving San Francisco. Local health authorities say more than $8 million in Centers for Disease Control and Prevention funding is at stake, threatening core HIV and STI prevention, testing and surveillance programs.

The cuts are part of a wider federal move blocking roughly $600 million in HIV and public health grants across several states, including California. State officials have filed suit, arguing the decision is politically motivated and will undermine years of progress in reducing new infections.

Some San Francisco nonprofits report immediate losses to programs that support transgender communities and other marginalized groups. A federal court has temporarily paused parts of the termination plan, but local providers warn that uncertainty alone could destabilize staffing and long‑term planning if the funds are not restored.

Out and about

Despite the wet weather, Presidents Day events and cultural activities continue around the city, from free hours at Golden Gate Park attractions to evening comedy shows and art exhibits, though organizers are advising attendees to plan for rain and possible transit delays.

Sources

https://www.sfchronicle.com/weather/article/bay-area-storm-rain-forecast-21356515.php
https://www.cbsnews.com/sacramento/news/february-2026-cold-storm/
https://www.washingtonpost.com/weather/2026/02/14/heavy-rain-california-oregon-forecast-storms/
https://havanatimes.org/news/international-news-briefs-for-monday-february-16-2026/
https://abc7news.com/post/san-francisco-losing-8-million-hiv-grant-funding-california-suing-federal-government-cdc-cuts/18601375/
https://www.ebar.com/story/163191/News/News/
https://sf.funcheap.com/2026/02/16/