The hillsides and canyons in Malibu have taken a beating from the latest storm to pass through Southern California.
Rock slides have forced closures on Pacific Coast Highway and Malibu Canyon Road. Engineers are also keeping an eye on saturated hillsides all over the community. Steve Uhring, the mayor of Malibu, spoke to KNX about the storm cleanups on the city’s docket.
Uhring said that even after the roads reopen, concerns remain.
“The rains here were dramatic last night and for days now, you know, rocks and mudslides have been coming down the canyon and we expect that to continue,” he said. “So I would just be very careful once it's opened.”
Uhring said he’s surprised that L.A. County Public Works keeps Malibu Canyon Road open when there’s heavy rain because there’s a constant stream of rocks and mud that typically comes down. L.A. County Public Works also controls PCH.
“We're gonna be pushing them very hard to make sure that the advice we're getting is as safe, is making us as safe as we possibly can be,” Uhring said.
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There may continue to be unexpected road closures and repairs through the coming months.
“This is the new normal and we’re gonna have to learn how to live with it,” Uhring said.
This is the fourth wettest February ever in downtown L.A., according to the National Weather Service.
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