Mud, Debris Flows Wreak Havoc Across Malibu

MALIBU (CBSLA) — Heavy rain Thursday brought down Woolsey Fire-scorched hillsides throughout Malibu, prompting mudslides and debris flows.

A flash flood warning was issued for the Woolsey, Hill and Thomas fire burn areas at about 8 a.m., with a third of an inch of rain forecast to fall within 30 minutes. Thursday is the second day in a row Southern California has been drenched with rain. The storm picked up overnight, soaking the region.

The biggest mudslide was reported on Pacific Coast Highway at Leo Carrillo State Beach, where both sides of the busy thoroughfare were shut down from Kanan Dume Road to the Ventura County line.

All lanes of PCH were reopened just after 12:30 p.m., according to the City of Malibu.

Jeff Litow lives in Malibu, where he started preparing for the rain after the Woolsey Fire was contained.

"We went ahead and put up this hydroseeding on 4 acres, and what it is, there's seeds that have glue in them. They stick to the soil, then you put hay over them...that retains the water," he said.

Litow wasn't taking any chances, not just to protect his home, but his neighbors as well.

"If we don't do this, it's gonna slide. It's gonna decrease our value, it's gonna trap everybody up there," he said.

Thanks to his preparations, the storm didn't cause any damage in his neighborhood.

But mud and debris flows were reported on Decker Canyon, PCH at El Matador State Beach, various locations on Kanan Dume Road and in the 30400 block of Morning View. Bonsall Drive was shut down at Rainsford Place, and Cuthbert Road will be closed until further notice.

A small boulder was also spotted in the middle of Topanga Canyon Road.

State Route 23 from PCH to upper Mulholland Drive was also shut down due to runoff in several areas.

The flash flood warning was in effect for the area until at least 10:45 a.m.

In:
• Street Closures
• Storm Watch
• Woolsey Fire