Latest Event Updates
Red Flag Warning – December 2-5, 2020
The National Weather Service issued a Red Flag Warning Los Angeles and Ventura Counties beginning 6 PM Wednesday, December 2, 2020 through 10 PM Saturday, December 5, 2020 with the potential to extend through Tuesday. Forecasters are predicting very low humidity between 5-10% with Santa Ana winds of 40-55 MPH near Pepperdine’s Malibu and Calabasas campuses.
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 PSPS. 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.
COVID-19 Community Update – November 30, 2020
Pepperdine Community Case Update
In accordance with NCAA, conference, and state testing protocols, all basketball players and coaches receive regular surveillance testing. Yesterday, two members of the women’s basketball team and staff tested positive for COVID-19 using an antigen test, which prompted the cancellation of yesterday’s game against UCLA. As an additional precaution, both were isolated. However, because neither individual had tested positive during the University’s regular testing protocol, which uses more accurate polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests, the University suspected the antigen tests may have yielded false positives. Both individuals were tested again on Sunday using PCR tests and those results arrived this morning showing both individuals were negative for COVID-19.
As Pepperdine continues with remote operations for faculty, staff, and students, the University will continue to provide potential exposure notifications to impacted community members and update the Pepperdine COVID-19 dashboard as cases are reported within the community.
Los Angeles County Safer At Home Order
As the number of COVID-19 cases continues to rise in Los Angeles County, effective today, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health issued a new Temporary Targeted Safer At Home Order, which remains in effect for the next three weeks. The order contains several new restrictions applicable to members of the Pepperdine community residing on campus and in the county, including the following:
- Prohibiting all public and private gatherings and events with people from more than one household except for outdoor faith-based services and outdoor protests
- Closing shared public playgrounds, pools serving more than one household, and non-residential hot tubs
- Closing restaurants for on-site dining, either indoor or outdoor
- Encouraging all persons who can work remotely to continue to do so as much as possible during the pandemic
California COVID-19 Updates
In a briefing today, California governor Gavin Newsom announced the state is closely monitoring the recent acceleration of COVID-19 cases and their corresponding impact on hospitalizations and intensive care unit occupancy. To ensure the state does not run out of hospital capacity, the governor indicated counties currently categorized as Tier 1 (Purple) in the state’s Blueprint for a Safer Economy, including Los Angeles and Orange counties, may be put under stay-at-home orders if hospital capacity continues to shrink.
As always, the University encourages all students, faculty, and staff to stay informed and follow the guidance and direction of local authorities. The latest information is available on the University’s COVID-19 website and Emergency Information Page. If you have questions, please contact Pepperdine’s COVID-19 Information Line at 310.506.8111 or via email at covid19info@pepperdine.edu.
Red Flag Warning – November 26-27, 2020
The National Weather Service issued a Red Flag Warning beginning Thursday, November 26, 2020 at 2:00 pm through Friday, November 27, 2020 at 6:00 pm for Los Angeles and Ventura Counties, due to Santa Ana winds and low humidity.
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 PSPS. 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.
Limited Stay at Home Order Issued Beginning November 21
Following an unprecedented increase in COVID-19 cases across California, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) announced yesterday a Limited Stay at Home Order will go into effect tomorrow, November 21. The order will be effective in counties under Tier One (Purple) of California’s Blueprint for a Safer Economy, which currently includes Los Angeles and Orange Counties, and will prohibit all nonessential activities outside a person’s residence from 10 PM to 5 AM each day through at least December 21. Los Angeles County public health officials indicated they will update the county’s Health Officer Order to address this order from the state.
While this order does not directly impact current campus operations, the University encourages faculty, staff, and students to continue limiting their interactions with others and follow all safety guidelines issued by local and national health agencies. For any questions pertaining to this order’s impact on University operations, please contact the COVID-19 Information Line at covid19info@pepperdine.edu or 310.506.8111.
Pepperdine Emergency Information 
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