The National Fire Weather Service has reported a high wind advisory for Malibu and Santa Monica coastal areas that will produce westerly sustained winds 20 to 30 mph and gusts  up to 40 mph through Wednesday morning. Showers and possibly thunderstorms are expected throughout this afternoon and into early tomorrow morning. This weather system has the potential to bring down powerlines and tree limbs in our area. Gale force winds are also expected across ocean waters with high surf.

Power has been restored to the Malibu campus.

Power has been restored to most parts of the Malibu campus. Southern California Edison is continuing their work to permanently remedy the situation.

As of 4:05 p.m., the Malibu campus has experienced an unplanned power outage.  Southern California Edison is on site responding and it is unknown at this time as to when power will be restored.  We will post further updates as information becomes available.

The National Fire Weather Service has cancelled the Red Flag Warning for all areas of Los Angeles and Ventura Counties. Widespread gusty winds and low humidities failed to develop this morning as a storm system moved too far east. Isolated gusty northeast winds are still possible through and below passes and canyons today and Tuesday with peak guests of up to 30 MPH.

The National Fire Weather Service is reporting a Red Flag Warning is in effect for portions of the Santa Monica Mountains with a moderate Santa Ana wind condition and low relative humidities from Sunday, December 9th through 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, December 11th. Current projections call for sustained winds of 15-30 MPH with gusts up to 50 MPH over wind prone areas. This weather system has the potential to bring down power lines and tree limbs.

Red Flag warnings issued by the National Weather Service identify time periods when conditions are ideal for wildfires. During Red Flag warnings it is especially important to:

• Report any signs of smoke immediately to emergency responders. If on the Malibu campus call Public Safety at (310) 506-4441. At all other locations report smoke by calling 911.
• Use caution when disposing of cigarettes and ensure that they are completely extinguished.
• Minimize any use of open flame in outdoor settings.

Pepperdine Public Safety is monitoring the situation and is prepared to respond to potential wildfires. Additional information regarding Red Flag warnings and Pepperdine’s wildfire response plans is available on the University’s Emergency Information Page, emergency.pepperdine.edu, and in the Emergency Preparedness Guide found in WaveNet beginning on page 14.

Hank Lee, 37 year old male, 6’0″, 145 lbs, with black hair, and black eyes.

We previously notified the community about an incident on September 17, 2012 regarding a suspicious person, later identified as Hank Lee, who chased and harassed women on Res Road on the Malibu campus. The individual has no affiliation with Pepperdine, and was taken into custody by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department for a mental health evaluation and involuntary treatment. We have credible evidence that while in custody Lee made threats against the Pepperdine community. Specifically, he stated his intent to “impregnate women at Pepperdine” and “kill anyone who gets in his way.” Although it appears that he was in a delusional state when he made the statement, we want to be thoughtful about community safety and ensure the community has all relevant information.

2009 Silver Scion xB with California License Plate 6EXE524

Lee remains in custody, but may be released soon. We will notify the community when his release date becomes known. The University is working with law enforcement, and has secured a restraining order against Lee, prohibiting him from coming on any University property. Public Safety will be watching for him; he should be considered dangerous. If he is observed on any Pepperdine campus, call 911 immediately, then call the Department of Public Safety at (310) 506-4441 (or extension 4441 on campus). An important aspect of community safety is all members remaining vigilant and looking out for one another.

If you have questions, or to report suspicious activity, you may contact Public Safety 24 hours a day:

Emergency on campus extension – 4441
From an off campus line – (310) 506-4441
From a “blue light” phone – Dials automatically
Anonymous Tip Hotline – (310) 506-7634

Security escorts are available by calling Public Safety at (310) 506-4442.

Isaac Yasharal, 29 year old male, 5’9″, 175 lbs, with black hair, and brown eyes.

On September 20, 2012, we informed the Pepperdine community about an incident regarding a man who groped a female student near the Terrace Parking Lot on the Malibu campus. This individual was later identified as Isaac Yasharal. Yasharal has no affiliation with Pepperdine and was taken into custody by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. We have learned that Yasharal has now been released.

Yasharl’s Blue/Gray Audi with California License Plate 6LMF429

Yasharal was warned that he is prohibited from coming onto campus, and Public Safety is watching for him. He should be considered dangerous. If he is observed on campus, call 911 immediately, then call the Department of Public Safety at (310) 506-4441 (or extension 4441 on campus). An important aspect of community safety is all members remaining vigilant and looking out for one another.

If you have questions, or to report suspicious activity, you may contact Public Safety 24 hours a day:

Emergency on campus extension – 4441
From an off campus line – (310) 506-4441
From a “blue light” phone – Dials automatically
Anonymous Tip Hotline – (310) 506-7634

Security escorts are available by calling Public Safety at (310) 506-4442.

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) reports that “All the available information continues to indicate Hawaii, Alaska, the U.S. Territories, and the U.S. West Coast are not expected to experience any harmful levels of radioactivity,” despite the reports of low concentrations of radioactive particles heading eastward from Japan.

On April 8, the World Health Organization (WHO) stated that there are no radiation related health risks to individuals outside of Japan. Additionally, the Centers for Disease Control remains confident that there will be no serious health consequences here in the U.S.

The U.S. continues to monitor the situation through Radnet, a system of 100 radiation monitors overseen by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Pepperdine University officials are also following developments for any changes. Additional information is available from the resources below:

• The California Department of Public Health has opened a phone hotline to address concerns regarding local radiation exposure. The hotline is (916) 341-3947.
• The Centers for Disease Control has also opened a line for those with questions (800) CDC-INFO or (800) 232-4696. Additional information is available on their web site emergency.cdc.gov/radiation/.
• The World Health Organization www.who.int
• The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission www.nrc.gov/
• The Environmental Protection Agency www.epa.gov/radiation/
• Southern California Air Quality Management District www.aqmd.gov/news1/2011/Radiationmonitoring.htm
• EPA link to common sources of radiation exposure in everyday life (please scroll to the bottom of the page) www.epa.gov/rpdweb00/understand/perspective.html

State and federal health officials do not believe that radiation from Japan will create a harmful health threat to the U.S. west coast. Nevertheless, Pepperdine University officials are closely monitoring the situation for any changes. The U.S. Department of Energy has activated the National Atmospheric Release Advisory Center to determine how the radiation would disperse in the atmosphere from Fukushima, and we are following that progress. At this time there are no indications of a risk to the U.S. west coast. Pepperdine remains poised and prepared to respond to various types of emergencies; we maintain food, water, medical, and other supplies for use in an emergency, and our staff practices emergency response. We communicate widely to our student community so that all should know how and where to get instructions during emergencies. Please see our emergency webpage at emergency.pepperdine.edu for further information.