Remote Classes and Modified Operations Tuesday on Pepperdine’s Malibu and Calabasas Campuses 

Posted on October 13, 2025, 5:13 PM

Weather forecasters are predicting rainstorms for Southern California, which will bring rain to Los Angeles County over the next two days, beginning this evening. The storm is currently predicted to bring up to 1.5 inches of rain at the coast and in the valleys and 2-4 inches of rain in the mountains, with possible thunderstorms and short bursts of intense rainfall.

Because of the possibility of these bursts of intense rain, the National Weather Service has issued a flood watch, its lowest of four warning levels. This warning is for the surrounding burn scar areas for the local fires in the past year, with particular focus on the Palisades and Eaton fires in this area, but also including the Franklin and Kenneth fires. (A Flood Watch is issued when conditions are favorable for flooding and advises people to be prepared. It does not mean flooding will occur, but it is possible. More information on the National Weather Service’s flood warnings is available here.) Los Angeles County has put out an associated evacuation warning, meaning people should be aware of the rain event and be prepared to take action if needed at the direction of local authorities. Additionally, the University has prepared the Malibu campus for rainstorms and anticipates the campus will fare well in the storm.

Given the weather forecast, the fact this is the first storm the burn scars have faced in months, and Seaver College is already on Fall break, on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, the University will shift to remote classes and critical support staffing for the Malibu and Calabasas campuses. Critical support personnel (CSP) should communicate with their supervisors about whether they should report to campus or should work remotely. Classes and operations will go on as normally scheduled at the West LA and Irvine campuses. Any impacts to campus events, including athletics, guest speakers, and performances, will be communicated by event organizers.

Pepperdine officials continue to monitor the situation and are in communication with local agency officials. The Pepperdine community should expect normal University operations to resume on Wednesday and as scheduled, for the remainder of the week at all Southern California campuses. If conditions change impacting Pepperdine, further messaging will be issued.

Drivers should monitor road conditions, drive carefully, and allow for extra travel time as needed. Road conditions may change quickly. Greater Los Angeles road conditions can be viewed online at www.sigalert.com. As changes are announced to roads near the Malibu campus, updates will be made to the Road Conditions Hotline at 310.506.7623 (ROAD).

Pacific Coast Highway to Reopen Friday

Posted on May 22, 2025, 4:18 PM

The Governor’s Office announced today that Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) will officially reopen to all motorists in both directions from Santa Monica to Malibu on Friday, May 23, at 8 AM. Local agencies report drivers can expect two lanes of traffic open in both directions with a reduced speed limit of 25 MPH and several intersections operating under flashing red lights. Ongoing construction and debris removal may result in intermittent lane closures and potential lengthy and unpredictable delays. Pepperdine community members should use caution while driving through the area and allow extra time if traveling on PCH.

The University recommends those attending Pepperdine graduations this weekend use alternate routes to avoid potential long delays on the newly reopened PCH. To ensure you, your family, and your guests all arrive in time for the start of the ceremony, we encourage you to leave early and allow extra time to travel to Malibu via Malibu Canyon Road, Kanan Dume Road, or PCH north of campus. 

The reopening of PCH will result in adjustments to the University’s PCH shuttle. The University will contact regular riders directly regarding updates to the shuttle schedule.
For the most up-to-date information on roads near Pepperdine’s Malibu campus, please call the Road Conditions Hotline at 310.506.7623 (ROAD). Greater Los Angeles road conditions can be viewed online at www.sigalert.com. 

PCH Update

Posted on February 7, 2025, 5:26 PM

Officials are indicating Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) will be partially reopened this weekend to residents only, but will not be open to general traffic. Then, PCH is expected to close again early next week to all traffic except emergency vehicles and utility trucks. This is a preemptive measure in advance of the predicted rain storm, forecast for Wednesday through Friday.

University Operations Week of February 10 -14
The Pepperdine community should expect normal University operations and classes to continue as scheduled throughout the next week. If conditions change necessitating alternate plans, changes to University classes and operations will be communicated:

• By 7 PM the night before the scheduling change takes effect if additional road closures are known in advance; or 
• As soon as possible after the University learns of such road closures.

In these unique circumstances, road conditions may change unexpectedly. Greater Los Angeles road conditions can be viewed online at www.sigalert.com. As changes are announced to roads near the Malibu campus, updates will be made to the Road Conditions Hotline at 310.506.7623 (ROAD).

Rain Forecast and Traffic Updates 

Posted on February 3, 2025, 8:03 PM

Weather forecasters are predicting two rain storms for Southern California later this week, both of which are forecasted to bring light to moderate rain to Los Angeles County. 

While Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) was open to general traffic today, officials have indicated  they plan to close PCH from Chautauqua to Carbon Beach Terrace from 3 PM Tuesday through Friday evening. Officials note the only vehicles permitted in this section of PCH during this closure will be emergency responders and utility providers. 

At this time, officials have not indicated plans to preemptively close Malibu Canyon Road. 

The Pepperdine community should expect normal University operations and classes to continue as scheduled throughout the week. If conditions change necessitating alternate plans, changes to University classes and operations will be communicated:

• By 7 PM the night before the scheduling change takes effect if additional road closures are known in advance; or 
• As soon as possible after the University learns of such road closures.

Greater Los Angeles road conditions can be viewed online at www.sigalert.com. As changes are announced to roads near the Malibu campus, updates will be made to the Road Conditions Hotline at 310.506.7623 (ROAD).