Malibu Driveway Collapse Leaves Five Homes Uninhabitable Amid El Niño Surf

Key points

• The collapse occurred on a private road in the 31000 block of Sea Level Drive in Malibu, damaging a gas main and creating a large hole containing a portable toilet.
• Five homes in the vicinity were red-tagged and deemed uninhabitable by building and safety personnel, though no injuries were reported.
• The City of Malibu stated it is actively monitoring coastal erosion issues, particularly in areas affected by the Palisades Fire burn zone and Westward Beach, due to strong waves and high tides.
• The collapse was triggered by hours of rainfall from Sunday into Monday and continued high surf, exacerbated by the swell from Tropical Storm Marie and elevated evening high tides.
• A high surf and coastal flood advisory remains in effect until 11 p.m. Tuesday for portions of the Los Angeles and Orange County coasts, with waves expected to reach 6 to 10 feet and tides exceeding 7 feet.

Background

This incident follows recent reports of a sinkhole opening near a property reportedly owned by Nicolas Cage in Malibu, which also resulted in evacuations and gas leaks. Earlier this week, Tropical Storm Marie caused severe surf damage in Dana Point, leading to evacuations and red-tagged homes in Orange County. The current events are part of a broader trend of coastal instability in Southern California, with officials warning of potential mudslides and erosion due to forecast strong El Niño conditions.

Why it matters

The collapse highlights the increasing vulnerability of coastal infrastructure in Southern California to extreme weather events and rising sea levels. As El Niño conditions intensify, residents and local governments face heightened risks of property damage, evacuations, and utility disruptions, underscoring the need for proactive measures to mitigate coastal erosion and prepare for future storms.

What to watch

City officials are preparing for potential strong storms, waves, heavy rain, and mudslides along the Southern California coast. Residents in affected areas are advised to continue taking precautions, such as sandbagging and boarding up windows, as high surf and elevated tides persist. Further monitoring of coastal erosion will be conducted in collaboration with partner agencies to assess the stability of affected properties and infrastructure.