Malibu Sinkhole Swallows Driveway, Prompts Evacuations
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Malibu Sinkhole Swallows Driveway, Prompts Evacuations
- A large sinkhole, approximately 7.5 to 9 meters deep and 18 meters wide, opened in Malibu on September 8, 2026, reportedly collapsing the driveway of a beachfront home linked to actor Nicolas Cage.
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The incident, attributed to coastal erosion exacerbated by storm surges from Hurricane Marie, led to the evacuation of 31 properties along Sea Level Drive.
Malibu, California – A significant sinkhole emerged on September 8, 2026, in the exclusive Malibu community, causing a portion of a beachfront property’s driveway to collapse and prompting emergency evacuations. The property is widely reported to belong to actor Nicolas Cage, who reportedly purchased the home in 2024 for $10.5 million.
The sinkhole, estimated to be between 7.5 and 9 meters (25-30 feet) deep and 18 meters (60 feet) wide, extends into the roadway on Sea Level Drive. This collapse also caused a gas leak, which was brought under control by SoCalGas several hours after the initial report on Tuesday morning. As a precautionary measure against further coastal erosion, natural gas services were temporarily shut off for a section of the street.
The City of Malibu declared a local emergency and issued evacuation orders for 31 properties in the area due to the hazardous conditions and compromised emergency access. Seven residences were “red-tagged,” prohibiting entry, while an additional 24 were to be “red-tagged” due to the loss of safe vehicular access.
Authorities attribute the sinkhole to coastal erosion, which was significantly worsened by strong waves and storm surges generated by Hurricane Marie. Although Hurricane Marie did not make landfall, it produced dangerous waves along the Southern California coastline over the Labor Day weekend. Officials have warned that forecasted high tides and additional rain associated with the hurricane, as well as the upcoming El Niño season, could further exacerbate conditions. The incident has reignited discussions about the long-term viability and risks associated with coastal real estate in Malibu, a region that has also experienced significant damage from wildfires.