Normal Operations and In-Person Classes Monday with Malibu Canyon Road Expected to Reopen Over the Weekend

Posted on February 14, 2025, 5:25 PM Updated on February 14, 2025, 5:55 PM

Pepperdine’s Malibu campus fared well during this week’s rainstorms, only resulting in minor leaks and nuisance debris flows, thanks to the diligent efforts of staff to prepare the campus and respond during the rainstorm.

Officials are indicating they expect to reopen Malibu Canyon Road over the weekend, though Pacific Coast Highway south of campus will remain closed (currently near Carbon Mesa Terrace) as crews continue to address debris flows caused by the recent storm. 

The University’s Malibu campus will resume normal operations and in-person classes on Monday, February 17.

Drivers should monitor road conditions, drive carefully, and allow for extra travel time as needed. Road conditions may change quickly. 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).

Remote Classes and Modified Operations Friday on the Malibu Campus 

Posted on February 13, 2025, 12:30 PM Updated on February 13, 2025, 12:20 PM

Current weather forecasts continue to call for heavy rainfall today and into tomorrow for the Los Angeles area. With no change in the weather forecast and the expectation that Malibu Canyon Road will remain closed through some time on Friday, the University will shift to remote classes and critical support staffing only for the Malibu campus again on Friday, February 14. The University plans for normal operations, including in-person classes, to resume on the Malibu Campus on Monday, February 17.

Those planning to attend a University event on the Malibu campus on Friday should check with organizers regarding the event’s status. 

• Athletic event updates will be posted on the University Athletics website. 
• The status of Center for the Arts events is available via the CFA website.

Drivers should monitor road conditions, drive carefully, and allow for extra travel time as needed. Road conditions may change quickly. 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).

Evacuation Warnings Issued for Malibu Area

Posted on February 12, 2025, 8:24 PM

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).

Remote Classes and Modified Operations for Thursday on the Malibu Campus

Posted on February 11, 2025, 6:00 PM

The University is monitoring weather and road conditions in Southern California. Current weather forecasts call for rain Wednesday through Friday, with the heaviest rainfall expected on Thursday and Friday for the Los Angeles area. The National Weather Service has issued a flood watch and a flash flood watch from 1 pm on Thursday through 4 am on Friday, for Los Angeles County burn areas, including those from the Palisades and Franklin fires. The warnings note flooding and debris flows are possible and are intended to allow people to prepare accordingly.

The Malibu campus is well-prepared with no safety concerns. University officials and state fire experts have reviewed conditions on the Malibu campus and indicate a low probability of challenges. Out of an abundance of caution, the University has also implemented precautionary measures like sandbags. Local officials may take proactive steps in advance of this rain event and will respond to conditions during the storm. In addition to the use of resources to clear roads of minor debris, this could also include temporarily closing Malibu Canyon Road.

With Pacific Coast Highway south of campus closed, a significant predicted rainfall with the increased challenges posed by the burn scar near the Malibu campus, and the potential for Malibu Canyon Road to be closed during the upcoming rainstorm, the University will shift to remote classes and critical support staffing only for the Malibu campus for Thursday, February 13. The University will continue to monitor conditions and will announce a decision regarding Friday’s classes and operations by 2 pm on Thursday. 

There will be no University shuttle from West LA to Malibu on Thursday. Those scheduled to attend University events on the Malibu campus on Thursday should check with organizers to determine event status. Athletic event updates will be posted on the University Athletics website.

All drivers should monitor road conditions, drive carefully, and allow for extra travel time as needed. Road conditions may change quickly. 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).