SoCal beach town declares emergency as massive coastal erosion threatens America’s most picturesque beach highway

Malibu is calling on the state for help over fears of massive erosion along the famed Pacific Coast Highway speeding up this winter.

The city said its done everything it can do to document conditions in the area, which was hit hard by the 2025 Palisades Fire, including work with agency partners like Caltrans.

The city credited Caltrans with taking important interim steps to protect the roadway, but officials continue to urge the agency to “move quickly on permanent stabilization measures to protect public safety and critical infrastructure,” according to a press release.

“We appreciate Caltrans’ partnership, but the erosion continues to accelerate,” Malibu City Manager Joe Irvin said.

“Malibu is requesting immediate, coordinated action on a permanent stabilization strategy with a clear timeline before winter storms arrive.”

The release included images of areas along the PCH where parts of the roadway are falling into the ocean. One photo showed a portion blocked off by fencing, with a notice calling the area “Unsafe.”

“Left unaddressed, the erosion trend will continue to accelerate, removing the material that supports the roadway embankment,” the city said.

Officials said predictions of extreme winter conditions increase the “likelihood of heavy rainfall, high surf and wave events that could compress months of expected erosion into a single storm cycle.” 

Officials said they have done what they can under their authority to document and investigate the conditions on the PCH corridor after the devastating fires.

The list includes the following:

• Conducted joint field observations with Caltrans at all 16 red-tagged High-Priority parcels posing immediate roadway risk.
• Coordinated directly with Caltrans District 7, Los Angeles County Waterworks District No. 29, and SoCalGas to assess utility conditions.
• Committed City staff to monitor affected parcels and direct outreach to every High-Priority property owner.
• Provided support through the rebuild centers for all affected property owners.
• Briefed Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath’s Office on all issues related to the Palisades Fire and rebuilding efforts.
• Briefed the Governor’s Office of Los Angeles Recovery on conditions along PCH, including coastal erosion issues.

Officials said they are hopeful a collaborative approach to address the situation with all agencies will help to “mitigate roadway failure.”

The Post reached out to the governor’s office and Caltrans for further comment.