Malibu Evacuation Order Issued After Sinkhole Swallows Nicolas Cage's Driveway

Key points

• The City of Malibu declared an emergency and ordered the evacuation of 31 properties on Sea Level Drive after a sinkhole collapsed the driveway of a beachfront home owned by Nicolas Cage.
• The sinkhole, initially reported as an eight-foot opening on Monday, expanded to approximately 30 feet deep and 30 by 60 feet wide by Tuesday evening, swallowing the driveway and blocking emergency vehicle access.
• Authorities attributed the collapse to coastal erosion caused by high waves and tides from Tropical Storm Marie, with the National Weather Service warning of further deterioration due to El Niño conditions.
• Seven homes were red-tagged for hazardous conditions, while 24 others were red-tagged due to the loss of safe vehicular access; a temporary shelter was set up at Malibu High School for displaced residents.
• No injuries were reported, and the property was unoccupied at the time of the collapse, though gas and water services were shut off in the affected area.

Background

Nicolas Cage purchased the 4,000-square-foot Malibu mansion in 2024. The property, built in the 1990s by Jose Liberman, features a rooftop deck and private beach access. The incident occurred amid ongoing concerns about coastal erosion in the area, with residents noting previous shoreline receding and sandbag installations.

How outlets are covering it

Page Six and The New York Times emphasize the immediate safety crisis and the city's emergency declaration, highlighting the blockage of emergency access. The Los Angeles Times provides technical details on the sinkhole's dimensions and the role of Tropical Storm Marie, while LAmag offers a resident's perspective on the rapid escalation from a manageable opening to a massive crater, noting the vulnerability of soil-based foundations near the water.

Why it matters

The incident highlights the increasing risks of coastal erosion and extreme weather events in Southern California, particularly in affluent beachfront communities. It underscores the potential for sudden infrastructure failures and the challenges faced by emergency services in accessing affected areas during natural disasters.

What to watch

Authorities are monitoring the sinkhole for further expansion due to high tides and rain. Engineers will assess the structural integrity of nearby homes, and the duration of the evacuation order remains uncertain as conditions are evaluated.