More than 30 properties in Malibu, California, were ordered to evacuate after a 30-foot-deep sinkhole opened Tuesday beneath the driveway of a beachfront home owned by actor Nicolas Cage.
The City of Malibu declared a local emergency following the formation of the large sinkhole near 31630 Sea Level Drive, stating the proclamation was developed in consultation with the LA County Fire Department and LA County Sheriff’s Department due to public safety concerns. Officials warned that expanding conditions could worsen with forecasted high tides and rain linked to Hurricane Marie, activating a Coastal Flood Advisory until 11:00 PM on September 8, 2026.
Emergency authorities notified residents in person and deployed digital alerts via Everbridge, while the American Red Cross established a temporary shelter at Malibu High School for affected properties. Five homes were red-tagged to prohibit resident entry, and access to the gated community was restricted amid ongoing response efforts.
SoCalGas confirmed damage to a half-inch natural gas line near the site, with crews working alongside first responders to assess and repair the issue. Firefighters reported the driveway collapse likely stemmed from coastal erosion, estimating the sinkhole as approximately 30 feet by 30 feet.
The incident occurred during days of sustained high surf that have impacted Southern California’s coast since Hurricane Marie developed in the Pacific Ocean. Local authorities are monitoring “coastal erosion issues” in the area while evacuations continue for residents affected by the sinkhole event at Cage’s property.
