Trucking News · California · November 14, 2026

Official Detour for the Closed Vincent Thomas Bridge Floods in Wilmington, Trapping a Semi and Other Vehicles

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A sleeper semi on dry pavement along a wet industrial harbor boulevard, with port cranes in the distance after rain — Illustration for this story. Not a photo of a specific location.

The official truck detour around a closed harbor bridge in Wilmington, California, flooded Friday morning and trapped a semi and other vehicles.

What happened

The flooding was on Harry Bridges Boulevard near Alameda Street, CBS Los Angeles reports. That road is an official state detour while the Vincent Thomas Bridge is closed for 16 months. KTLA also covered the flooding.

Rain and a high tide put the road underwater. At one point, as many as eight vehicles were stuck, including a semi. Some had to be towed. People who work nearby said the road usually takes on an inch or two at high tide, but this was much worse.

State crews were pumping, though the tide was slowing them down. The road was closed Friday, with no reopening time announced. A county supervisor asked the state to pick a different detour, because more rain was on the way.

Why it matters to truckers

Port truck drivers leaving the docks need a reliable way around the closed Vincent Thomas Bridge. An official detour that can flood overnight leaves loads sitting and forces a scramble for a backup route. The ports have been unusually busy, including a record September at Los Angeles and Long Beach.

Quick facts

Where: Harry Bridges Boulevard near Alameda Street, Wilmington.
Role of the road: official state detour while the Vincent Thomas Bridge is closed for 16 months.
Friday morning: rain and a high tide, with as many as eight vehicles stuck, including a semi.
Status Friday: closed, with no reopening time announced.