Crews race to fortify Malibu road near popular restaurant threatened by coastal erosion
By Tim Caputo
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MALIBU, California (KABC) — Powerful surf continues to pound Malibu’s coast, turning recent storm erosion into an immediate emergency as crews race to fortify the area.
Churning waves south of Zuma Beach are washing away the shoreline, raising concerns that a portion of Westward Beach Road could fall into the ocean. The popular Sunset Restaurant, which sits along that road, is also being threatened.
Crews are piling giant boulders along the coast to prevent high tide from causing more damage and keep the road from completely collapsing.
“The sand is disappearing, definitely… And the ocean is, I mean these waves… I’ve never seen anything like this after growing up and going to Zuma all the time. I’ve never seen waves this big. It’s crazy,” said Sabrina Pender.
The erosion has also exposed a water main in the area, prompting water service to be shutoff for the restaurant and some nearby homes.
Westward Beach Road is now blocked off for repairs. City officials are monitoring the situation to determine when the road can safely reopen.
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