Hazardous driving in mountainous areas expected due to weather
[UPDATE: 9:a.m.] All lanes of traffic on Pacific Coast Highway are open. A closure of Old Topanga Canyon Boulevard at N. Topanga Canyon Boulevard is expected to be cleared at 9:45 a.m.
The National Weather Service reports that the weather will make traveling into and through the mountains hazardous today. A slight chance of thunderstorms will last throughout the day.
Beachgoers will face duel hazards from high surf and strong rip currents. Mariners will face a slight change of thunderstorms and waterspouts.
Westbound traffic is being blocked at the intersection of PCH and Topanga Canyon Boulevard due to rockslides, according to the City of Malibu as of 9 p.m. Sunday evening. Westbound traffic on PCH at the intersection will be blocked until midnight, as will traffic going north up Topanga Canyon Boulevard. A flood advisory remains in effect until 10:45 p.m. according to the National Weather Service
The city is also reporting the possible collapse of PCH at Temescal Canyon Road and there may be a possible lane closure there. As of 9 p.m. there was one westbound lane closure along the 2700 block of PCH. There have also been reports of mud on the road at Las Flores Canyon Road, with the city reporting hazardous driving conditions on the road.
Approximately 30 patrons of Duke’s Restaurant were evacuated at about 7 p.m. tonight due to flooding. One patron reported seeing a small wave of brown water flowing into the restaurant. Patrons had to wade through 1-2 feet of water in the parking lot to get to their cars.
At 8:03 p.m. moderate to heavy rain was still falling across Los Angeles County and was expected to continue during the next few hours. Hourly rainfall rates across Los Angeles County ranged from a quarter inch per hour in eastern Los Angeles County to one half to two thirds of an inch per hour across western and central Los Angeles County.
There have been several reports of urban flooding as well as flash flooding across portions of the Santa Monica Mountains near Topanga this evening, according to the National Weather Service. California Highway Patrol reported several vehicles stuck in moving water as well as other rock and mud flows affecting the area.
The powerful storm will wind down tonight. There will still be hazardous conditions in the mountains for people both traveling into and through the Santa Monica Mountains. There is a possibility of thunderstorms overnight and any thunderstorm activity over the recent burn areas could produce debris flows. Beachgoers will face hazards from both high surf and a greater chance of rip currents.