Malibu declares emergency as sinkhole swallows Nicolas Cage's driveway and forces 31 evacuations

Collapse on Sea Level Drive

On Tuesday, 8 September 2026, emergency crews responded to reports of a collapsed driveway and a ruptured gas line near 31630 Sea Level Drive in Malibu, California. The incident centered on a four-level, 370-square-meter beachfront residence purchased by actor Nicolas Cage in 2024 for $10.5 million. First responders from the Los Angeles County Fire Department and the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department arrived around 5:45 a.m. local time after the ground gave way. The crater swallowed the property's driveway, stopping inches from the garage structure, and left debris including asphalt, concrete, and a portable toilet inside the chasm. Officials confirmed that the residence was unoccupied at the time of the collapse, as Cage was away filming, and no injuries were reported.

Coastal erosion from Cyclone Marie

The ground instability began developing on Monday, 7 September, when local residents noticed a preliminary hole measuring approximately 2.4 meters wide. Heavy ocean swells and coastal flooding linked to Post-tropical Cyclone Marie battered the shoreline over the preceding days, driving high tides against the concrete pilings that support beachfront homes in the area. By Tuesday afternoon, the sinkhole had expanded to dimensions of roughly 30 by 60 feet (9 by 18 meters) and reached a depth between 25 and 30 feet (7.5–9 meters). Water and gas utility lines broke during the subsidence, prompting Southern California Gas Company technicians to isolate and secure the leaking line. The National Weather Service maintained a coastal flood advisory through 11:00 p.m. on Tuesday as ocean waves continued surging into the void and sweeping back toward the sea beneath the building supports.

Emergency declaration and evacuations

As the crater expanded toward the roadway of Sea Level Drive, the City of Malibu declared a local emergency on Tuesday evening due to severe access limitations and structural risks. Municipal officials issued mandatory evacuation orders affecting 31 residential properties along the private coastal road. Inspectors placed red tags on seven houses due to hazardous ground conditions created directly by the sinkhole, while another 24 residences were red-tagged because the damaged pavement prevented safe passage for emergency vehicles. Utility crews shut off gas service across the affected zone, and city administrators warned that municipal water supplies might also be suspended if ground movement continued. The American Red Cross set up an emergency evacuation shelter at Malibu High School to assist displaced residents.

Conditions are continuing to be evaluated, and the full extent of the impacts is not yet known.

Infrastructure damage and risk assessment

Malibu building officials warned that conditions along Sea Level Drive could deteriorate further under the influence of approaching high tides and forecasted precipitation. Emergency service personnel noted that access for heavy rescue apparatus remained heavily restricted due to the loss of roadway stability. City engineers and building inspectors maintained restricted perimeters around four adjacent parcels while monitoring the pilings beneath the primary structure. Representatives for the actor did not release an immediate public statement following the evacuation order. Local authorities stated that geotechnical evaluations will determine whether roadway reinforcement or structural underpinning can safely resume once ocean swells subside.