California Road Closures Expand as Topanga Stays Shut

A Pineapple Express storm sounds fun until you hit a roadblock in the dark. This is an atmospheric river, and it hits hard. Floodwater is only part of the problem. Mud, rock, and slides can take out a road in minutes.

If you drive today, treat your plan like it can break. Closures change fast. The “quick canyon cut” is often the first route to go.

Road Closures You Need to Know Right Now

Los Angeles County Public Works closed several risky routes before the worst rain hit. Malibu Canyon Road is under a soft closure (emergency vehicles only) between Francisco Ranch Road/Adamson Flats Road and just south of Piuma Road. Tuna Canyon Road is under a hard closure between about 2870 Tuna Canyon Road (gate) and Pacific Coast Highway. Chantry Flat Road is also under a soft closure between 1209 Arno Drive and the Chantry Flat Recreation Area. Glendora Mountain Road has a hard closure between north of Big Dalton Canyon Road and East Fork Road. The county says the closures stay until rain eases and crews can clear debris.

Now the big state shutdown: Topanga Canyon Boulevard. Caltrans lists State Route 27 closed from Pacific Coast Highway (State Route 1) to Grand View Drive, 24/7, through 12:01 a.m. on Dec. 28 for emergency work. If Topanga is your go-to move, don’t gamble. Pick a different route before you leave.

Caltrans also lists State Route 138 closed in San Bernardino County from the junction with State Route 2 to 8.4 miles east of that junction at Cajon Boulevard due to flooding. That road links mountain traffic to the high desert. When it’s out, detours clog up fast.

Other storm trouble is still on the board. Caltrans lists parts of the Angeles Crest Highway (State Route 2) closed for bad weather, slides, and flooding. A stretch of State Route 18 is also closed in San Bernardino County because of flooding. Along the coast, Caltrans reports U.S. 101 reduced to two lanes in each direction in Ventura due to flooding.

If you want a quick read on what closes next, watch steep canyons and burn-scar hillsides. Also watch low spots where water pools, like underpasses and creek crossings. When the next hard band rolls in, those places lose first.

My Verdict

For you, the move is simple: plan for a real detour, not a small delay. Check conditions right before you roll. Avoid canyon routes if you can. Never drive through standing water. If a road is posted closed, turn around.