By Jorge Casuso
February 4, 2025 -- Pacific Coast Highway closed at 3 p.m. Tuesday as two storm systems approach, potentially causing debris flows in the fire ravaged area, according to Caltrans officials.
The road will remain open only to essential workers –- first responders, recovery agencies and utility companies, Caltrans and the LA County Public Works Department announced Tuesday.
"Out of an abundance of caution, the highway must be closed due to soft soils on both the hill and ocean sides of the road," Caltrans officials said, noting that hills were "made bare" by the fire.
"Mud and debris flows may occur and canyons may overtop, blocking the road or causing further damage."
Caltrans officials advise motorists to "plan ahead" Wednesday morning and "find alternate routes or plan to avoid the area if possible."
According to the National Weather Service, the first of two storms is expected to begin late Tuesday and last through midday Wednesday. The system is forecast to bring between .5 and .75 inches of rain, with between .75 and 1.5 inches in the hills and mountains.
After a break, the second storm is expected to arrive Thursday evening and bring steady rain into Friday morning, although it is unclear how much rain it will produce.
While rain offers a welcome break to the ongoing drought, the storms could impact areas burned in the Palisades and Franklin Fires that scorched more than 23,000 acres and destroyed more than 10,000 structures just northwest of Santa Monica.
Tuesday's road closure prompted local School District officials to move Thursday's School Board meeting from Malibu to Santa Monica; and while Malibu schools will remain open, they may need to close "if access becomes limited."
"These storms may cause mudslides and road erosion to PCH and sensitive canyon roads, such as Topanga Canyon, Malibu Canyon and Kanan Dume Roads," Superintendent Dr. Antonio Shelton said in a letter Tuesday.
PCH's closure comes one day after it reopened to essential traffic on Monday following a three-week closure as the Palisades Fire began burning on January 7.
"It’s necessary to close during these storms due to hills made bare from the recent fires and to protect motorists," officials said.
"Caltrans aims to allow people to return to their properties to continue their work on slope restoration and property repairs that allows for safe rebuilding."
PCH will remain closed "until assessments can be made on Friday," officials said.