Malibu schools closed Thursday, possibly Friday due to powerful rainstorm

All schools in Malibu will be closed on Thursday — and possibly Friday — due to the potential implications that could come with the powerful rainstorm closing in on Southern California. 

"With ongoing and planned road closures we have made the difficult decision to have all four Malibu schools closed on Thursday, Feb. 13 and possibly Friday, Feb. 14, 2025.This includes Webster Elementary, Malibu Elementary, Malibu Middle and Malibu High schools," said a statement from Dr. Antonio Shelton, the Santa Monica - Malibu Unified School District Superintendent. 

Because of the rain, which could create a significant risk of mudslides and debris flows near both the Franklin Fire and Palisades Fire burn scars, authorities have preemptively closed Malibu Canyon Road starting early Thursday morning. The closure lasts through 6 p.m. Friday evening. 

"This, along with the ongoing closures of Pacific Coast Highway ... and Topanga Canyon, make it unsafe for our staff to get to our Malibu schools and impossible for our school buses to get to school," the statement said. "Road travel in and around the area is predicted to be unsafe."

Further instruction on whether schools will be closed on Friday will be shared at on Thursday. 

Rain began falling on Wednesday morning in the area, but heaviest precipitation is not expected until Thursday. As such, a flash flood warning has been issued for the area because of the potential debris flows and excessive rain beginning Thursday at 1 p.m., lasting through 4 a.m. on Friday. 

"We understand the disappointment felt by our families, students and staff following so many closures in the last two months. Our decisions are made based on the safety of our students and staff, as we continue to monitor this storm and its aftermath," the statement said.