By SARAH SHMERLING | Editor-in-Chief

Pacific Coast Highway reopened to Palisades and Malibu residents in the burn scar area, essential businesses, and school buses, effective Thursday, February 20, at 6 a.m., according to a statement by Caltrans.

Pacific Coast Highway was closed from Chautauqua Boulevard in Pacific Palisades to Carbon Beach Terrace in Malibu in response to and ahead of storm systems in the area.

The highway reopened one lane in each direction at reduced speeds to the public on February 3 for the first time since the Palisades fire started on January 7 before closing again on February 4 at 3 p.m. ahead of storms in the area that week.

“Out of an abundance of caution, the highway must be closed due to soft soils on both the hill and ocean sides of the road,” Caltrans wrote in a statement. “Mud and debris flows may occur and canyons may overtop, blocking the road or causing further damage.”

Assessments of the road and the potential to reopen were made on Friday, February 7, by Caltrans and Los Angeles County Public Works Department when it was determined that PCH would remain closed “until further notice for safety.”

“Caltrans and its partners at the Los Angeles Police Department, Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department, California Highway Patrol, and other city and state agencies have expanded the soft closure of PCH to allow access to those who require this route for essential travel,” according to Caltrans on February 19. “Residents, school bus traffic, essential business owners and workers will be allowed to access PCH … Access points will be in the same locations at Chautauqua Boulevard in Los Angeles and Carbon Beach Terrace in Malibu.”

Residents and business owners in Pacific Palisades can pick up access passes at the Disaster Recovery Center, located at 10850 Pico Boulevard, between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. daily.

For Malibu, Topanga Canyon, Big Rock, Sunset Mesa and other impacted unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County, access passes are available at Malibu City Hall (23825 Stuart Ranch Road) from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

“Passes for contractors are currently limited to entities completing assessments, evaluations, providing security services and services conducted inside of standing structures (i.e. cleaning, remediation, care services),” according to a statement from Supervisor Lindsey Horvath. “For tow or moving companies, the resident should join the service provider at the checkpoint for access.”

The following restrictions will remain along PCH, according to Caltrans:

• “PCH is reduced to one lane each direction with a 25 mile per hour speed limit between Chautauqua Boulevard in Pacific Palisades and Carbon Beach Terrace in Malibu.
• All signalized intersections are on flashing red and should be treated as a four-way stop, even if the intersection is dark due to a power outage.
• There is no parking, no stopping and no pedestrians allowed in the work zone.
• Vehicles may not pass one another.
• There is one lane through the McClure Tunnel from westbound I-10 to northbound PCH, and one lane entering northbound PCH from the California Incline. These two lanes merge into one lane, potentially causing delays.”

PCH will remain closed to general traffic, according to Caltrans, and only essential travel is recommended at this time.

“Visitors wishing to access Malibu may do so by using US 101 via Las Virgenes Road/Malibu Canyon Road or Kanan Dume Road,” Caltrans wrote. “As partner agencies work to remove fire and storm debris, there may be times where a hard closure is still necessary. Caltrans will give notice of these closures. Caltrans reminds motorists that PCH is still an active work zone as crews help the county recover from the Palisades fire and subsequent storms and flooding.”

FEMA Assistance Deadline Approaches March 10

By LILY TINOCO | Assistant Editor

Disaster Recovery Centers are open and continue to offer support to Los Angeles County residents who have been impacted by the recent wildfires.

Disaster Recovery Centers are currently open to the public from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., seven days per week. There is a West Los Angeles location at UCLA Research Park West (10850 West Pico Boulevard) and a location in Altadena (540 W. Woodbury Road).

There are multiple county departments, as well as state agencies and federal partners, on site to provide support and resources.

“LA County survivors who have damage to their home, personal property or disaster-caused emergency needs due to the wildfires can get in-person assistance at a Disaster Recovery Center,” according to LA County Recovers. “At DRCs, survivors can get help applying for federal assistance, speak to representatives from state and federal agencies, receive updates on the FEMA application for assistance and learn about the appeals process.”

Representatives from different LA County departments are available on site, including the Assessor’s Office, Emergency Response Team, General Relief, Medical Examiner, CalFresh, CalWorks and MediCal. Additional departments include the Department of Public Social Services; Aging and Disabilities; Child Support Services; Children and Family Services; Consumer and Business Affairs; Department of Economic Opportunity; Public Health; Public Social Services; Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk, and more.

State agencies available on-site include the Department of Motor Vehicles, Employment Development Department, California Department of Social Services, California Department of Insurance, California Department of Public Health —Vital Records, California Department of Housing and Community Development, and others.

While parts of the Palisades remain closed to the public, access passes for authorized personnel, including contractors, insurance adjusters, etc., can be obtained at the parking lot of the Disaster Recovery Center between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. daily.

“We are speeding the state’s recovery from the LA fires in every way we can, including mobilizing state technology experts to help survivors get the help they need from state and federal sources,” Director of the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services Nancy Ward said in a statement.

Residents seeking financial support can request FEMA assistance. The deadline to apply is Monday, March 10—fire victims will lose aid unless they apply by the March 10 deadline.

FEMA is offering individual assistance with its Serious Needs Assistance Grants, a $770 one-time payment for immediate needs “like food, water, hygiene and transportation.”

FEMA is also offering housing assistance.

“The maximum amount a homeowner can receive through the FEMA Individual Assistance grant program for home repair and replacement, and for temporary housing, is up to $43,600,” according to FEMA. “Depending on your situation, substantial rental assistance may also be available.”

Additional assistance may be available “for other needs,” where another $43,600 may be available in the form of a grant from FEMA to cover medical expenses, damage to a vehicle, household items/property, funeral expenses, moving/storage, childcare expenses and more.

Congressmember Brad Sherman is currently urging FEMA to extend its deadline until the end of the year. Updates will be available at palipost.com as they become available.

To apply for FEMA assistance online, visit disasterassistance.gov. More information about the DRCs is available at recovery.lacounty.gov/recovery-centers.