By Lookout Staff

March 11, 2025 -- A section of Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) will close at noon Wednesday as a winter storm approaches the fire scorched area possibly causing debris flows, Caltrans officials announced.

The closure comes as the National Weather Service on Tuesday issued a winter storm warning starting at 4 p.m. Wednesday and lasting until 5 a.m. on Saturday.

The PCH closure will be in effect from Carbon Beach Terrace in Malibu to Chautauqua Boulevard in Pacific Palisades, where limited public transit service had been restored.

"Caltrans, in consultation with the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works, local agencies and law enforcement, will be closing a segment of Pacific Coast Highway/State Route 1 to residents and businesses in burn scar areas due to safety concerns from the incoming storm,” according to a statement issued by the agency

“Only emergency vehicles and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ debris-hauling contractors will be allowed through the closure. Residents with homes in the burn scar area should consider alternate routes in the afternoon hours or consider teleworking if possible.”

Wednesday's closure prompted the local School District to close schools in Malibu, where Malibu Canyon Road will close at 6 p.m. Wednesday, District officials said. Topanga Canyon Road continues to only be open to residents.

"Our Emergency Operations Center team convened to discuss these planned road closures for tomorrow due to this current storm mudflow and debris concerns in the Malibu area," officials said Tuesday.

"With safety in mind for students and staff, these decisions have been made cautiously, in alignment with our school closure criteria."

If the PCH and Malibu Canyon Road continue to be closed on Thursday, the District "will continue with school closures in an abundance of caution," District officials said.

Caltrans will reassess the PCH closure on Thursday "to see if the highway could reopen to residents and businesses with passes by Friday at 6 a.m., if not earlier.

“This is dependent on the extent of the storm and resulting impacts of any debris flows,” Caltrans officials said.

“The forecasted thunderstorms and rain of up to an inch per hour could result in heavy downpours that can cause debris basins to overflow, especially on Wednesday evening.