California Storm with Feet of Sierra Snow, Locally Flooding Rain Continues Through Thursday

California's coldest storm of the season continues, and it will deliver feet of Sierra snow and locally flooding rain, but also much-needed replenishment to a western snowpack that is record low for this time of year from the Pacific Northwest to the Southern Rockies.

The first round of rain and mountain snow hit the state Sunday into Monday. Parts of the coastal ranges of Northern and Central California as well as the Sierra foothills below snow level picked up 2 to 6 inches of rain, while parts of the L.A. Basin picked up 1 to 3 inches of rain.

That triggered flash flooding of some roads and stretches of freeways in Ventura and L.A. County, and debris flows, as well. Rockslides and debris flows closed a stretch of the Pacific Coast Highway from south of Big Sur to north of San Simeon. The stretch of State Route 27 in Topanga Canyon was also closed due to multiple slides. This included some areas burned by the catastrophic January 2025 wildfires. The city of L.A. issued evacuation warnings ahead of Monday's rain for areas in and near the burn areas.

Around midday Monday, several vehicles were stuck in floodwater at the McClure Tunnel to eastbound Interstate 10 in Santa Monica, and significant debris was reported on the 405 freeway in Long Beach near Cherry Avenue.

Severe thunderstorms Monday produced wind gusts to 81 mph in the Malibu Hills, significant wind damage in Ventura, and damaged the roof of a CalFire station in Tranquility, just west of Fresno. Snow snarled traffic through the Sierra, including on Interstate 80 and U.S. 50, where traffic was held at times to allow crews to clear snow.

We recognize the severe impact that current conditions are having on our customers, and we are committed to restoring service levels as quickly as possible. As a result of these weather issues, the ALG Client Service Team will send daily updates as we monitor the progress and track job level.