Rockslide Closes PCH in Capistrano Beach

EDITOR'S NOTE: Updated at 10: 29 a.m. Jan. 10, 2014 to report the road is now open. Updated at 8:11 a.m. Jan. 10, 20114 to include when the road may reopen. Originally posted at 7:47 a.m.

Both north and southbound lanes of the Pacific Coast Highway in Dana Point were closed by a rockslide, the California Highway Patrol said today, but Orange County Sheriff's officials tweeted the road was back open by about 10:20 a.m. 

The closure was caused by a large boulder that landed on the highway near the intersection with Beach Road, Orange County Sheriff's Department Lt. Andy Ferguson said.

Ferguson said the rock fall was reported around 3:55 a.m. and that several vehicles had been damaged, but it was not clear if this was from collisions with the boulder or with other vehicles.

Ferguson said deputies at the scene had estimated the boulder size at 10-
feet-by-20 feet.

Orange County Sheriff's officials tweeted the closure will last until noon.

Patch reader Donna Fleming said she awoke to "banging noises and jolt to the house."

--City News Service, Patch Editor Penny Arévalo  contributed to this report.