Malibu
Power Outage on Malibu Campus – Update #1
Storm-related challenges caused damage to the main electrical circuit servicing the Malibu campus. This led to a power outage at the Malibu campus earlier this morning. Southern California Edison (SCE) quickly restored the University’s electrical service with a temporary solution. SCE is now completing repairs on the electrical circuit and advises there may be another short power shutdown between 3 PM and 6 PM tonight to accomplish these final repairs.
As a reminder, during power outages, the community can expect the following on the Malibu campus:
- All buildings have some form of power for emergency egress lighting.
- Access control (to enter buildings, including the residence halls) switches to battery backup and remains active.
- The Tyler Campus Center (TCC) and Payson Library have emergency power from backup generators, including for lighting. In TCC, some outlets are also energized.
- WiFi is supported by backup generators in TCC and Payson Library.
- Waves Cafe will be ready to serve a modified food service soon after the generator restores power to cooking equipment.
- Once power is restored, WiFi service takes about 15 minutes to re-establish across campus.
- In the event of a prolonged power outage, the University’s Emergency Operations Committee (EOC) will communicate with the University community.
The rain is forecasted to taper off this afternoon, and the University will proceed with normal operations and classes as regularly scheduled on all Southern California campuses tomorrow, Wednesday, October 15, 2025.
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).
Power Outage on Malibu Campus
The Malibu campus experienced a brief power outage this morning. Power is currently back on across campus, but there may be continuing power surges or additional outages throughout the day. Students and faculty may be experiencing challenges with online classes because of this disruption. The University’s WiFi service will be restored shortly. After each power outage or surge, it typically takes about 15 minutes to restore the WiFi service.
The University is actively working with Southern California Edison to determine the cause of the outages.
Remote Classes and Modified Operations Tuesday on Pepperdine’s Malibu and Calabasas Campuses
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).
Pepperdine University Officials Monitoring Oil Refinery Fire in El Segundo
Pepperdine officials are monitoring a fire at an oil refinery in El Segundo, which is visible from the Malibu Campus and may be visible from the West LA Campus. The fire is more than 20 miles from the Malibu campus and more than five miles from the West LA Campus. The fire does not pose a threat to any of Pepperdine’s Southern California campuses.
Pepperdine Emergency Information 
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