Heavy overnight rains in Malibu caused officials to shut down a stretch of Pacific Coast Highway on the western side of town through Ventura. The closure also cut off access to Point Mugu State Parks and many trails accessible through western Malibu.
The PCH closure, stretching from Yerba Buena Road through Los Posas Road in Ventura County, lasted from 10 p.m. on Thursday night until 12 p.m. on Friday, according to Caltrans. As it was reopened on Friday, Caltrans urged drivers to drive cautiously along the road, as debris could unpredictably fall down the hillside. K-rail is set up along the westbound side of PCH for most of the stretch, but falling rocks are still unpredictable.
The hillsides in western Malibu are especially sensitive in wet weather due to the aftermath of last year’s Springs Fire, which burned thousands of acres in Ventura County and scorched parts of western unincorporated Malibu. Dirt, rocks and debris could all be seen strewn along the road in Malibu on Thursday and Friday.
State and National Parks officials also closed Point Mugu and nearby parks due to the storms, said State Parks’ Angeles District Supt. Craig Sap. Campers in the Sycamore Canyon area were given the option of relocation to Leo Carillo State Beach. As of midday Friday, it remained unclear when the parks would reopen.
“We’ll probably stay closed until we can do some assessments because we’ve got so many miles of trails and fire roads that we’ll want clear,” Sap said.
Other closures still in effect include Sierra Vista, Circle X, parking lots at Solstice Canyon, Rocky Oaks, Peter Strauss, Cheeseboro and Zuma (Bonsall parking lot).
Check back for updates and email melissa@malibutimes.com if you have photos/information on how the storms have affected Malibu.