PCH Reopens Following Shutdown Due to Mudslides

Pacific Coast Highway finally reopened Monday night following a two-day shutdown due to mudslides triggered by weekend rainfall. The famous California roadyway was opened in both directions from Malibu to Oxnard.

Vehicles remained stuck in the mud on Pacific Coast Highway near Malibu Monday morning.

Early Sunday, the City of Malibu announced on its website that Encinal Canyon, in both directions, was open and that city crews cleared mud and debris from the traffic lanes, and continue to work to remove all debris from the shoulders.

"City crews will be working through the day in the Malibu Park area to make the roads passable by clearing the debris off to the shoulders to be removed and hauled away at a later time," according to the website.

Two vehicles were trapped in the mud at about 7:30 p.m. Saturday at PCH and Mulholland Highway, just outside the Malibu city limits, the CHP reported.

At 7:06 p.m. Saturday the CHP reported vehicles were stuck in a mixture of water, mud and rocks on PCH north of Tonga Street, 2-3 miles north of the Los Angeles County line.

The roadway havoc was part of the first winter storm of 2019, which moved into the Southland Saturday night before clearing up Sunday.

Public safety experts have been concerned that the forecasted half-inch to inch of rainfall across the Southern California coast and valleys -- and more than double that amount in higher elevations -- would increase the risk of flooding and mudslides on mountain slopes recently scorched by wildfires.

Residents in areas recently burned by wildfires -- where the soil does not absorb a lot of moisture and can be prone to hazardous mudflows that carry dirt, rocks and larger debris -- need to be prepared, experts warned.

More rain was in the forecast later in the week.

Weather forecasts and warnings will not be interrupted by the ongoing federal government shutdown, NWS officials said. Updates will be provided on the agency's website and social media feeds.