Latest Event Updates
Red Flag Warning October 15-16, 2026
The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for Los Angeles and Ventura county coastal and valley areas, including Malibu and Calabasas, from 6 AM Thursday, October 15 through 10 PM Friday, October 16 due to low humanities of 5-15% and Santa Ana winds of 20-30 MPH with gusts up to 60 MPH.
Red Flag Warnings issued by the National Weather Service identify time periods when conditions are ideal for wildfires. During Red Flag warnings it is especially important to:
- Report any signs of smoke immediately to emergency responders. If on the Malibu campus, call Public Safety at 310.506.4441. At all other locations report smoke by calling 911.
- Use caution when disposing of cigarettes and ensure that they are completely extinguished.
- Minimize any use of open flame in outdoor settings.
- Consider taking down umbrellas and moving patio furniture inside.
During Red Flag conditions, Southern California Edison (SCE) may issue a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS), a preemptive deenergization of electrical circuits in an attempt to prevent power lines from starting a potential wildfire. This may result in the loss of power for a Pepperdine campus. While SCE has promised to advise the community in advance, and University officials are in regular communication with SCE representatives, the community should nevertheless be prepared for the possibility of a loss of power. Further details on a PSPS and how you can prepare are available here.
The Department of Public Safety is monitoring the situation and is prepared to respond to potential wildfires. Additional information regarding Red Flag Warnings and Pepperdine’s wildfire response plans is available on the University’s Emergency Information Page.
All Operations Normal
Welcome to Pepperdine University’s Emergency Information website. CURRENTLY ALL UNIVERSITY OPERATIONS ARE NORMAL.
This Emergency Information Web site may be accessed via a link on Pepperdine University’s Home Page at anytime. You may wish to save the URL for easy referencing in the event of an emergency impacting Pepperdine University in Malibu, or any of its campuses. During an emergency, information on this site will be updated regularly to keep students, faculty, staff, and family members informed with accurate and current information.
In addition to briefings which are posted during an emergency, this site makes it easy for you to obtain the latest information or road conditions affecting the Malibu campus. In the event of an emergency, the latest information will be posted at the top of this page.
Pepperdine’s Toll Free Emergency Hotline: (888) 286-5659. The recorded message is updated regularly during emergency situations.
Information about current road conditions is also available on the Road Condition Hotline at (310) 506-ROAD (7623).
To report an emergency on the Malibu campus and at all other domestic University campuses, call 911. Then please call the Department of Public Safety at (310) 506-4441.
If you have any questions, please call the Public Relations Office at (818) 702-1401.
Malibu Canyon Road Remains Closed Following Water Main Break
Malibu Canyon Road remains closed between Mulholland Drive and Lost Hills Road due to a water main break. While the pipeline has been repaired and officials are continuing to restore the road, it is not yet open. The University will continue to update the road conditions hotline with the current status of the road as officials continue their work. Even if Malibu Canyon Road remains closed in the morning, normal operations will continue tomorrow at all Southern California campuses and are expected to continue throughout the week.
Malibu Canyon Road remains open in both directions south of Mulholland Drive. All other routes to campus remain open, including Pacific Coast Highway (PCH), and Kanan Dume Road South to PCH and North to the 101 freeway.
Everyone should plan for a potentially slower commute, since your typical route to/from the Malibu campus may not be accessible and/or traffic may be heavier than normal. Confirm road conditions before departing. Employees and students are encouraged to drive slowly and carefully, leave plenty of extra time for travel, and remain informed about conditions for Pepperdine’s Southern California campuses by utilizing the following resources:
- Malibu Campus Road hotline: 310.506.ROAD (7623)
- Emergency Information Page: emergency.pepperdine.edu
Greater Los Angeles road conditions can be viewed online at www.sigalert.com.
Malibu Canyon Road Expected To Reopen Late Tonight Following Water Main Break
Malibu Canyon Road remains closed between Mulholland Drive and Lost Hills Road due to a water main break. The pipeline has been repaired. Officials are working to restore the road and currently estimate reopening it at 8 PM this evening, though the timeline could shift as the work progresses.
Malibu Canyon Road remains open in both directions south of Mulholland Drive. All other routes to campus remain open, including Pacific Coast Highway (PCH), and Kanan Dume Road South to PCH and North to the 101 freeway.
Normal operations will continue today at all Southern California campuses and are expected to continue throughout the week. Everyone should plan for a potentially slower commute, since your typical route to/from the Malibu campus may not be accessible and/or traffic may be heavier than normal. Confirm road conditions before departing. Employees and students are encouraged to drive slowly and carefully, leave plenty of extra time for travel, and remain informed about conditions for Pepperdine’s Southern California campuses by utilizing the following resources:
- Malibu Campus Road hotline: 310.506.ROAD (7623)
- Emergency Information Page: emergency.pepperdine.edu
Greater Los Angeles road conditions can be viewed online at www.sigalert.com.
You must be logged in to post a comment.