After a deluge of record-breaking rainfall battered Los Angeles over the Christmas and New Year’s holidays, city officials have sprung into action to tackle the aftermath—most notably, the potholes that have pockmarked roads from West Adams to the Valley. On January 10, 2026, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass announced that more than 2,400 potholes have already been repaired across the city in the week following the storms, a testament to the city’s rapid response in the face of mounting infrastructure challenges.
According to NBC4 News and statements from the mayor’s office, the city experienced over 7 inches of rain since December 23, 2025, shattering previous rainfall records for the holiday season. For many Angelenos, the downpour was more than just an inconvenience—it left a trail of battered cars, bent rims, and damaged tires. As anyone who has driven Los Angeles’ streets after a rainstorm knows, potholes can be more than a nuisance; they can be downright dangerous.
“Los Angeles saw record rainfall over the holiday season, and we are increasingly seeing more extreme weather events,” Mayor Bass said in her official statement, as reported by multiple outlets. “City public works crews are out every day fixing potholes and responding to calls for service to minimize impacts to Angelenos. Angelenos are encouraged to report potholes to 311.” It’s a call to action for residents who, after dodging craters on their morning commutes, might be wondering how to get their own streets fixed.
The city’s Bureau of Street Services, often referred to as StreetsLA, has dedicated additional resources toward this urgent repair effort. The department deployed extra personnel, many of whom are now working longer hours during both weekdays and weekends to keep up with the flood of repair requests. According to city officials, these crews are “out every day” trying to patch up the damage and restore a sense of normalcy to the city’s battered roads.
But Los Angeles isn’t alone in this struggle. On January 2, 2026, Caltrans—the California Department of Transportation—reported receiving nearly 90 pothole complaints across Los Angeles, Ventura, and Kern counties, with a staggering 81 of those coming from LA County alone. The numbers highlight just how widespread the problem has become, especially in neighborhoods like West Adams, which, as reported by NBC4’s Camilla Rambaldi, has been especially hard-hit. In West Adams, neighbors have voiced frustration about the persistent pothole problem, which seems to worsen with every major storm.
For many residents, the damage is more than just cosmetic. The recent storms left “many cars with bent rims and damaged tires,” as reported by CBS and local news outlets. The cost of repairs can be steep, and for drivers who rely on their vehicles for work or family obligations, a single pothole can mean days of disruption. The city’s swift response is, in part, a recognition of just how critical these repairs are to the daily lives of Angelenos.
Los Angeles’ approach to the problem has been multi-pronged. In addition to ramping up repair crews and extending work hours, city officials have made a concerted effort to encourage public participation. “Angelenos are encouraged to report potholes to 311,” Mayor Bass reiterated, emphasizing the importance of community involvement in identifying trouble spots. The 311 system, which allows residents to report non-emergency issues directly to the city, has become a key tool in the city’s fight against potholes.
But why did the situation get so bad so quickly? The answer lies in the city’s aging infrastructure and the increasingly unpredictable weather patterns that have become the new normal. Los Angeles, like many cities in the Southwest, isn’t used to sustained heavy rain. Its roads, built for sunshine and the occasional drizzle, can quickly deteriorate under the stress of repeated soaking and drying. When water seeps into cracks in the pavement and then expands as it freezes or evaporates, potholes are almost guaranteed to follow. And with climate scientists warning that extreme weather events are likely to become more frequent, the city’s patchwork approach to repairs may need to evolve into something more robust and long-term.
Mayor Bass acknowledged this changing reality in her statement: “We are increasingly seeing more extreme weather events.” It’s a sentiment echoed by city engineers and climate experts alike. The storms that hit Los Angeles this winter weren’t just a fluke—they may be a sign of things to come. As the city braces for future deluges, officials are already talking about the need for more resilient infrastructure and smarter road maintenance strategies.
For now, though, the focus remains on the immediate challenge: getting the streets back in shape as quickly as possible. The Bureau of Street Services has been working overtime, and residents have responded by flooding the 311 system with reports. It’s a citywide effort, one that relies on both government action and community engagement.
Despite the challenges, there’s a sense of determination in the air. “City public works crews are out every day fixing potholes and responding to calls for service to minimize impacts to Angelenos,” Bass said, underscoring the city’s commitment to keeping its residents safe and mobile. It’s not an easy task—Los Angeles is a sprawling metropolis with thousands of miles of roadways—but the scale of the response so far has been impressive.
Of course, some residents remain skeptical that the repairs will last, especially if more storms are on the horizon. In neighborhoods like West Adams, where potholes have been a perennial problem, there’s hope that this latest round of repairs will be more than just a temporary fix. City officials, for their part, say they’re listening. The increased resources and extended work hours are a direct response to resident complaints and the clear evidence of damage on the ground.
As Los Angeles dries out and the city’s repair crews continue their relentless march across battered streets, one thing is clear: the city is facing its infrastructure challenges head-on. Whether this marks a turning point in how Los Angeles prepares for and responds to extreme weather remains to be seen. But for now, residents can take comfort in knowing that help is, quite literally, on the way—and that their voices are being heard, one pothole at a time.
