Tag: landslide

MALIBU—The city of Malibu reported on its website that the City Public Works Department is in constant communication with Caltrans on the closures due to landslides that have been impacting Malibu as Caltrans engineers continue to assess the safety and stability of the slopes and the roadway at the landslide sites in Topanga Canyon and on PCH.

Residents, commuters and visitors should check navigation apps and Quickmap.dot.ca.gov for the latest road conditions and closures or call Caltrans Highway Information Network at 800-427-7623 before hitting the road. For the most up to date information, follow Caltrans District 7 on X (Twitter) at https://twitter.com/CaltransDist7.

Caltrans noted that Topanga Canyon Boulevard between PCH and Grandview Drive was reopened on Sunday, June 2. There had been a full closure of the important route which connects Malibu to the western San Fernando Valley, and which is crucial for the Topanga Canyon community, due to a large landslide following heavy rain in March.

Two northbound lanes of PCH are now open at Porto Marina. A decades-old landslide had moved into traffic lanes during heavy rain in March. The lanes were shifted into the center median, and northbound PCH had been reduced to a single lane since March.

CALTRANS – PCH AT TUNA CANYON

Caltrans installed a temporary traffic signal at the PCH/Tuna Canyon intersection April 10 to assist with left turns onto PCH, as Tuna Canyon is one of the only routes through/out of Topanga Canyon.

CALTRANS – PCH AT BIG ROCK

One lane of northbound PCH remains closed near Big Rock Drive due to an active landslide. Over the past few weeks, the majority of large rocks have descended.

CALTRANS – SOLSTICE CREEK BRIDGE REPLACEMENT WORK

One lane of northbound PCH is diverted into the center media just before Corral Canyon for a project to repair or replace culverts along PCH to restore endangered fish habitat, and to replace the Solstice Creek Bridge. Motorists are advised to watch for active construction with workers and work vehicles, and a 30 MPH speed limit.

By Trevor

SHERMAN OAKS—The Los Angeles Police Department announced on Wednesday, March 13 that severe damage was inflicted on one home and threatened several others, but no one was injured.

Firefighters received a report of a large tree down and wires down in the backyard of a residence at 2:51 a.m. on March 13 on the 3700 block of North Ventura Canyon Avenue. Crews arrived to find a large portion of a hillside that slid down toward at least three homes, and heavily damaging one home under construction.

Several individuals were evacuated from at least one of the homes. Firefighters conducted a primary search of the homes, which revealed no patients. Firefighters are using pumps to remove water from a swimming pool in the area to take some additional weight and stress off of the hillside.

The Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety responded to assess the structures and hillsides, and red-tagged at least one building. LAFD Drone Operators will be flying drones at daybreak, using cameras and infrared technology to gain additional situational awareness for LAFD and Building and Safety crews at the scene.

“We want to use this as a good reminder that having an emergency plan is necessary year-round. These events are not isolated to “fire season” or Santa Ana wind events or “atmospheric river” rain events. Make an emergency plan for your home and your family so that you are ready if “it” happens to you (whatever “it” may be),” the LAFD indicated in a statement.

The LAFD noted that as 4 p.m. on March 13, two properties were red-tagged, and one home was yellow-tagged.

By Trevor

SHERMAN OAKS—Three homes suffered damage because of a landslide in Sherman Oaks on Wednesday, March 13. The Los Angeles Fire Department reported that the homes damaged were located near N. Ventura Canyon Avenue. The incident was reported at 2:51 a.m.

Firefighters responded to reports of a large tree down and wires down in the backyard of a residence. Responders arrived to find a large portion of a hillside had slid down toward at least three homes. Several people were evacuated from at least one of the homes. A primary search of the homes revealed no patients, but a more thorough (secondary) search will be conducted after daybreak.

The Department of Building and Safety is responding to assess the structures and hillsides. PIO Captain Cody Weireter was on the scene to assess and discuss what transpired. There were no reports of any injuries during the incident.

By Trevor

MALIBU—On Sunday, March 10, at approximately 11:00 p.m. the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD), Lost Hills Station was on the scene working traffic on the Pacific Coast Highway after a landslide with loose mud and rock covering the roadway.

LASD sent out an alert on their X social media page alerting the public of the closure:

“All lanes of PCH are closed at Big Rock Dr. Malibu due to an active landslide. @CaltranDist7 is on the scene, unknown ETA at this time,” LASD posted.

Caltran had their backhoe on site, clearing the debris.  On Monday, March 11, at approximately 9:45 a.m., the following update was given:

“One lane is open at PCH at Big Rock. That lane will be used to alternate eastbound and westbound traffic. Expect heavy traffic. Use alternate routes if possible.”

On March 11, at 6:19 p.m., Southern California 511 posted additional road closures:

“The SR-27 closed in both directions due to [a] rockslide. From Grand View Dr. to Pacific Coast Highway, Route 1 for an unknown duration.”

The Southern California 511 update is as follows:

“The SR-1/PCH has one lane open at the landslide at Big Rock in Malibu, with alternating traffic in both directions. Expect delays.”

PCH, Big Canyon Road, and others have had multiple road closures recently after multiple storms and heavy rainfall that saturated Southern California and caused multiple mudslides.

The LASD webpage has not been updated since March 2023. Please check X (formally Twitter) for updates on traffic and congestion on PCH at Big Rock Drive.

By Sharon