Evacuation Warnings Issued In Malibu Head Of Rainstorm, PCH To Close

MALIBU, CA — Officials said Malibu residents should prepare to evacuate their homes this week ahead of a series of late-winter storms expected to bring heavier rainfall Wednesday and Thursday and lingering into Friday.

Officials issued evacuation warnings and "address specific" evacuation orders in places vulnerable to mudslides, including recent burn areas.

In Malibu, the following zones will be under evacuation warnings beginning Wednesday at 7 a.m.: MAL-C111-A, MAL-C111-B, MAL-C112-A, MAL-C112-B, MAL-C112-C, RMB-U030-A, RMB-U030-B. The warning will be in effect until at least Thursday at 6 p.m.

In the city of Los Angeles, officials said the Getty Villa area, Highlands near the burn areas, Bienveneda area near Temescal Canyon Park, Rivas Canyon/Will Rogers State Park area, Mandeville Canyon above Tanners Road, and Old Ranch Road and Rustic Creek is "especially susceptible to heavy rain."

Houses in the warning area with high risk were being visited by the Los Angeles Police Department on Tuesday to receive specific evacuation orders. If residents are not home, the department was leaving a flyer with relevant information.

A portion of Pacific Coast Highway will be closed to almost all traffic, except for emergency vehicles and those removing fire debris, beginning Wednesday at noon. Ordinarily, PCH between Chautauqua Boulevard in Pacific Palisades and Carbon Beach Terrace in Malibu remains under a "soft closure" following the Palisades Fire and subsequent mudslides.

Caltrans will assess the storm impact on Thursday to determine if the highway may reopen to residents and businesses with passes by Friday at 6 a.m. "This is dependent on the extent of the storm and resulting impacts of any debris flows," Caltrans said.

LA County Public Works crews have prepared debris basins, stabilized slopes, and reinforced drainage systems to reduce flood risk, particularly in recent burn areas including Eaton, Palisades, Bridge, Hurst, Kenneth, Hughes, Sunset, Lidia and Franklin, officials said.

"While these efforts reduce flood risk, the storm could still bring moderate debris and mudflows to burn areas, potentially blocking streets and threatening structures depending on their location and the local terrain," the department said.

"To mitigate potential impacts, LA County Public Works has activated 24/7 storm patrols and remains fully mobilized," officials added.

Through Tuesday night, rainfall was expected to range from one-third to two-thirds of an inch from the coast to the mountains with local amounts exceeding one inch in the mountains, the National Weather Service said.

A cold front will move over the area overnight Wednesday into early Thursday, bringing a storm with potential flooding.

"Lighter precipitation will develop on Wednesday with the with the most likely time for more widespread and heavier precipitation with the cold front for late Wednesday night into Thursday morning," the NWS said.

Rainfall is expected to range from 1 to 2 inches along the coast and in valley areas and 2 to 4 inches in the foothills and mountains. Rainfall rates could reach up to .75 inches per hour.

A weaker storm system moving inland to the north on Friday could keep some showers going into Friday night, according to forecasters. However, things dry out and warm up for the weekend.

City News Service contributed to this report.