Los Banos, CA (February 19, 2026) — Strong winds moving through Merced County late Thursday morning led to hazardous road conditions in Delhi and Snelling, with fallen trees and downed power poles blocking traffic, according to the California Highway Patrol.
At approximately 10 a.m., CHP Merced reported a tree down across both lanes at El Capitan Way and Pepper Street in Delhi. Authorities said the fallen tree also brought down phone and communication lines, creating additional safety concerns in the area. Motorists were advised to avoid the intersection and use alternate routes while crews responded.
Around the same time, a separate traffic advisory was issued for Snelling, where several power poles were reported down at Snelling Road and La Paloma Road. The roadway was significantly impacted as utility crews worked to assess and clear the damage. Drivers were again urged to avoid the area until conditions could be made safe…