Malibu Schools To Reopen After Closing For Storms

MALIBU, CA — All four Malibu schools were expected to reopen Wednesday after being closed Tuesday due to a heavy rainstorm pummeling the coast of Los Angeles County according to Santa Monica Malibu Unified School District officials.

Students and parents on Tuesday were advised to check in with their school's principal or teachers for instructions on remote learning as an alternative for the day. The school closures were announced Tuesday morning just before 6:30 a.m. As of 5:47 p.m. Tuesday, all schools were expected to reopen Wednesday.

"We appreciate your understanding and support for our closures today as the safety and health of our students and staff are our top priorities. Please continue to take extra care in your travels around our community and beyond," said Malibu Pathway Executive Director Isaac Burgess.

In a previous announcement the night before, SMUSD officials said they were closely monitoring the weather conditions and school would be in session Tuesday, Jan. 10. Due to severe weather, the school district concluded it was unsafe for the schools to be open.

"The safety of our students and staff is of great importance," a SMMUSD spokesperson said. "Please be safe in this weather!"

By Tuesday morning, rock and mudslides had affected several roads in the area.

Early Tuesday, a rockslide involving a large boulder shut down Malibu Canyon Road in the Santa Monica Mountains north of Malibu, according to Los Angeles County Public Works. The roadway was closed between Civic Center and Piuma Way, just north of the tunnel.

Caltrans reported downed trees and overflowing river water caused by mudslides forced the closure of Topanga Canyon Road between Pacific Coast Highway and Mulholland Highway.

According to the California Highway Patrol, a mudslide was blocking all southbound lanes and part of the northbound side of North Topanga Canyon Boulevard in the 3300 block, as of 8:15 a.m. Nearby Fernwood Pacific Drive was also affected by debris flow Tuesday morning.

Santa Monica schools remained open for the day.

City News Service contributed to this report.