Expanding Sinkhole at Malibu Home Forces Evacuation of 31 Properties

Key points

• The sinkhole, located on Sea Level Drive, expanded from an 8-foot crack to a 30-foot-deep, 30-by-60-foot crater within 24 hours.
• The City of Malibu declared a local emergency and ordered the evacuation of 31 homes, including 24 that lost safe vehicle access.
• Emergency services responded to a gas leak caused by the structural failure; SoCalGas confirmed the leak was secured.
• No injuries were reported, and a temporary shelter was opened at Malibu High School for affected residents.
• The collapse occurred after heavy rainfall from Tropical Storm Marie, which brought high surf and coastal flooding warnings to the area.

Background

Nicolas Cage purchased the Malibu property in 2024 for approximately $10.5 million. The home, which features ocean views and a private rooftop deck, is situated in a gated community adjacent to Lechuza Beach. Previous archive reports indicate the area has faced ongoing concerns regarding coastal erosion and infrastructure stability following severe weather events.

How outlets are covering it

While all sources confirm the sinkhole's location and the evacuation of 31 homes, they differ on the initial scale of the damage. The BBC and local media cited by the Los Angeles Times reported that an 8-foot sinkhole began forming on Monday, leading to initial concern that it could be quickly fixed. However, the Los Angeles Times and The New York Times emphasized that the hole expanded significantly overnight, reaching 30 feet in depth and 60 feet in width by Tuesday evening. The New York Times highlighted the role of Post-tropical Cyclone Marie in worsening conditions, while the Los Angeles Times noted the broader impact of a 'super' El Niño event on coastal erosion. The BBC noted that Cage's representatives had not yet commented, whereas the Los Angeles Times confirmed that a representative could not be reached for comment.

Why it matters

The incident highlights the increasing vulnerability of coastal infrastructure in Southern California to extreme weather events and coastal erosion. The evacuation of 31 homes and the disruption of emergency access underscore the potential for severe public safety risks in densely populated, high-value coastal areas during periods of heavy rainfall and high tides.

What to watch

Authorities are monitoring the sinkhole for further expansion due to high tides and rain. The City of Malibu has warned that water service may be discontinued as conditions warrant, and it is unclear how long the evacuation order will remain in place. Emergency access remains severely constrained, with the intact portion of the roadway too narrow for large response vehicles.