On Friday, the storied coastal road had dissolved into a river of mud and debris after a powerful rainstorm sent those burned hillsides careening toward the ocean, turning canyons into rivers of mud and rocks.

The stretch of the highway along the Pacific Ocean between Santa Monica and Malibu reopened to regular traffic. Some local officials believe it is too soon.

PCH's closure has severely disrupted local transportation networks and emergency response capabilities across Los Angeles County.