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Topanga Canyon: State Route 27 (Topanga Canyon Blvd.) is closed in both directions from State Route 1 (PCH) to Grand View Dr. due to a mud slide. Expected to be closed until Friday morning, Jan. 6.

Maintenance is on scene clearing mud & boulder slide from Topanga Canyon Blvd. between PCH & Grand View

Caltrans reports, "The boulder is too large to break up with hydraulic hammers. An explosive specialist is en route to detonate the boulder."



A local surfer posted this to the web today:

"I was surfing first point last Friday around 8 or 9 am, when I had strange sudden pain in my chest and throat. Two surfers helped me get out of the water, and the lifeguard called paramedics.

I thought maybe I was having an allergic reaction because of the rain and I’d wait it out. The lifeguard talked me into riding with the paramedics.

Found out at the hospital I’d had an aortic dissection and would have died if I’d waited around. I had emergency open heart surgery that night and made it.

I’d like to find these guys and try to express my gratitude. Hopefully we can paddle out together in 6 months."


Malibu/Decker Canyon: State Route 23 (Decker Road) was closed last night in both directions from State Route 1 (PCH) to Decker School Rd. due to a rock slide. ⁠



From DjTyChannel:

"Surfing Venice Breakwater - North Side , Locals Only. Ty, B, Paul, Masao, Nick."



From Santa Monica Close Up:

"City of Los Angeles Department of Public Works sanitation workers in white hazardous materials suits, with the Clean Harbors Hazardous Waste Management team, clean-up at homeless encampments at Sunset Ave on Wednesday, January 4, 2023. LAHSA (Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority) and St. Joseph Center provided homeless outreach. The homeless individuals were transported on a bus to hotels by the Los Angeles Deportment of Transportation. Los Angeles Police Officers were onsite during the cleanup."

Santa Monica Close Up is a photo blog by Santa Monica based Photojournalist/Press photographer Fabian Lewkowicz. Fabian is the former staff photographer for the Santa Monica Daily Observer Press, Santa Monica Mirror, Santa Monica and the Santa Monica Corsair.

Support Santa Monica Closeup/Fabian Lewkowicz with Venmo or PayPal to help earn money to make these videos:

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Surfline is stating that this may be the biggest swell in the past 15 year, and they are predicting 20' waves for Venice on Thursday afternoon.



They have been forcasting this for Venice Beach for the past 2 days, click here to see for yourself.

The Venice Pier will only see a little more than have that size, according to them.





Integrity. The first of LA County Lifeguard Departments Core Values. Lifeguard Captain, Julio Rodriguez has exemplified integrity throughout his career. In this video he shares how he views integrity and why it remains so central to having a long successful career.


Coastal waters will become dangerous as the storm brings gale force winds, heavy rain, large steep seas and high surf. Largest seas/strongest winds for the Central & Ventura coast, where pier damage, flooding of beach roads/lots is possible.
Flash Flood WATCH in effect over ALL of southwest California. A lot of water is coming. Areas of most concern of significant flooding include roads, streams, and recent burn areas. Where are our recent burn areas? Check out these graphics.