Evacuation Warnings Issued for Malibu Area

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Out of an abundance of caution, Los Angeles County officials have issued evacuation warnings for areas affected by the recent fires due to the potential for debris flows from tomorrow’s heavy rain, which could impact roads. The evacuation warnings broadly include the most concerning areas, like Big Rock and the Palisades, along with low risk areas, such as Pepperdine’s Malibu campus. Individuals who reside off-campus in areas under evacuation warnings and orders should follow law enforcement directives.

Evacuation warnings are not orders to leave, and are issued to remind individuals to be vigilant and to give residents time to prepare. While Pepperdine’s Malibu campus is currently under an evacuation warning, local officials have indicated they do not expect challenges will arise necessitating further action for the Malibu campus. 

The University has also hired outside engineers who conducted extensive assessments, which indicate a low risk of challenges from debris flow on the Malibu campus. CalFire also conducted a debris flow assessment of the campus, which confirms this low risk. Additionally, the University implemented robust mitigation measures to reduce the risk of mudslides where such measures were identified to be helpful, and Facilities personnel will continue their standard practice of monitoring the campus in-person during and after the storms. 

While highly unlikely during this rainstorm, in the event an evacuation order is issued and action is needed, Pepperdine’s Emergency Operations Committee will communicate instructions to the University community via Everbridge. 

Access to and from Malibu remains available via Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) north and Kanan Dume Road. PCH south remains closed to through traffic, and Malibu Canyon Road is presently expected to close on Thursday at 1 AM and remain closed through Friday at 6 PM. As previously announced, the University will shift to remote classes and critical support staffing only for the Malibu campus for Thursday, February 13. Decisions about Friday’s classes and operations will be announced on Thursday before 2 PM. 

For the most up-to-date information about greater Los Angeles road conditions, visit www.sigalert.com. For information about roads near Pepperdine’s Malibu campus, please call the Road Conditions Hotline at 310.506.7623 (ROAD).

This entry was posted in Malibu.