Flooding in Commerce and El Monte Causes Road Closures and Vehicle Rescues
Heavy rainfall on Monday, February 17, 2026, led to widespread flooding in Commerce and El Monte, California, stranding drivers and causing significant traffic delays. Emergency crews responded to multiple vehicle rescues as roadways quickly became inundated with water.
Flooding Impacts in Commerce
In Commerce, Caltrans crews worked to clear clogged drains along Garfield Avenue after at least five vehicles became stuck in high water. Debris accumulated on the streets following the rapid rise in floodwaters. As of Monday evening, the roadway remained partially blocked, with cones diverting traffic in both directions.
Driver Experiences and Warnings
Sandra Shpegel of Montebello recounted a harrowing experience after attempting to drive through a flooded street in Commerce to get gas. “The tow truck driver thinks my car is going to be totaled because of the water damage,” Shpegel said. She was pulled from her vehicle through the driver’s side window and reported that a semi-truck sideswiped her car while she was stranded. Shpegel strongly urged other drivers to avoid attempting to navigate flooded roadways. “Don’t strive to drive through anything flooded, because other people were getting stuck after all of us were stuck. And my daughter just got stuck, too, and she had to get pulled out the window with the ambulance and the fire department, too. So, it’s ugly. It’s worse than anything we’ve ever been through,” she stated.
Conditions in El Monte
The situation was similar in El Monte, where drivers encountered numerous flooded streets. Motorist Joey Rodriguez described the hazardous conditions, noting “There’s like, puddles everywhere. So like, pulling up here, I was just splashing water everywhere. Being really cautious, driving really gradual, stuff like that.” Another driver, Sabrina Martinez, reported significant traffic congestion. “It’s crazy. It’s bumper-to-bumper traffic. You definitely have to plan to go to work a little earlier,” she said.
Traffic Information and Resources
Travelers can check current highway conditions and lane closures on the Caltrans QuickMap. Real-time traffic information is also available through the Federal Highway Administration. The California Highway Patrol provides traffic incident information here.