Malibu Unified Schools Canceled Wednesday Amid Evacuations

MALIBU, CA — The ongoing threat of mudslides and evacuation orders prompted the closure of all Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District schools in Malibu Wednesday.

The affected schools include Juan Cabrillo Elementary School, Point Dume Marine Science School, Webster Elementary School and Malibu Middle/High School. The district's preschool in Malibu and the Boys & Girls Club of Malibu also will be closed, the district officials said.

Steady rainfall has left the Woolsey burn area at risk of mudslides. Mandatory evacuation orders took affected 225 homes Tuesday morning in areas o fMalibu where November's Woolsey Fire stripped many hillsides bare. The orders were issued for specific properties adjacent to steep slopes or at the base of drainages in the following Woolsey Fire burn areas:

-- Corral Canyon/El Nido;

-- Escondido/Old Chimney;

-- Escondido Drive/Latigo Canyon;

-- Malibu West/Trancas Canyon;

-- Malibu Lake;

-- all of Ramirez Canyon Road and adjacent streets;

-- Paradise Cove Mobile Home Park and Restaurant.

``Authorities warn that all residents who live in or near the WoolseyFire burn area should remain aware of their surroundings and weather conditions during these storms. Even small amounts of rainfall rates may result insignificant mud and debris flow, so we strongly encourage residents who live in or near Woolsey Fire burn areas to be ready to evacuate at a moment's notice,''Los Angeles County Sheriff's Capt. Darren Harris said in a statement.

City News Service contributed to this report.