Pacific Coast Highway buried by mudslides; closed from Malibu to Palisades

A portion of Pacific Coast Highway from Malibu and Pacific Palisades remains closed Friday morning after a series of mudslides covered the road during Thursday’s powerful storm.

Video showed bulldozer crews working overnight to clear mud and debris from the highway, which is closed between Chautauqua Boulevard in Pacific Palisades & Carbon Beach Terrace in Malibu.

“The HARD CLOSURE of Pacific Coast Highway between Chautauqua Boulevard and Carbon Beach Terrace will remain until further notice due to heavy flooding and mudslides,” Caltrans District 7 posted on X Thursday night.

Access is limited to essential workers due to a continuing risk of mud and debris flow, Caltrans stated.

The first slides were reported around 1:30 p.m. Thursday on PCH near Las Flores Canyon Road.

A significant amount of debris was seen flowing around the famous Malibu restaurant Duke’s, which survived the Palisades Fire but may have sustained further damage in the storm.

The storm brought roughly two inches of rain to the Santa Monica/Pacific Palisades area, according to the National Weather Service.

Light showers are expected to continue through part of Friday but warmer, drier conditions are forecast for the weekend.