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PCH closed again as Los Angeles prepares for rain-related mudslides

PCH to close once again with two rainstorms closing in on Southern California
PCH to close once again with two rainstorms closing in on Southern California 01:33

Pacific Coast Highway will be closed this week because of potential mud and debris flows during the upcoming storms.

The closure will start on Tuesday, Feb. 4, at 3 p.m. and last until the weekend of Feb. 7, at the earliest. The entire PCH, from Chautauqua Boulevard to Carbon Beach Terrace, will be closed to everyone except first responders, recovery agencies, and utility companies. 

The California Department of Transportation said the closure is being conducted out of an abundance of caution because of the potential mud and debris flows. 

"There will be flooding concerns and concerns for landslides and mudslides with every rain event we get for a while," said KCAL News Meteorologist Paul Deanno.   

The National Weather Service said the storms will begin Tuesday and last until Friday morning. During the first storm, the rain will mainly stick to the counties northwest of Los Angeles until the evening. The NWS believes that LA County could get as much as 1 in of rain, with the heaviest part of the storm arriving at roughly 10 p.m. 

The second storm is expected to bring more rain beginning Thursday afternoon.

Concerns about mudslides and debris flows have been on top of state and local leaders' minds after the Palisades and Eaton fires burned much of the vegetation anchoring the soil. 

Late last month, Gov. Gavin Newsom directed state officials to mobilize resources to help local authorities prepare for the storms. 

"Even before we saw rain on the horizon in Los Angeles, I directed my departments and agencies to act fast to protect neighborhoods from potentially hazardous debris flows," Newsom said in late January. "By stationing resources and staff in key locations, we can help make a difference as we transition from fire response to storm preparedness."

This weekend, local officials flip-flopped on plans to reopen PCH to essential traffic, ultimately settling on a partial reopening with checkpoints limiting access to Pacific Palisades neighborhoods. 

During the most recent closures, Palisades residents can still return to their communities via Chautauqua Boulevard as long as they have the required passes.

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