LOS ANGELES, CA — A massive sinkhole formed along Sea Level Drive in Malibu after severe coastal erosion damaged a beachfront driveway, forcing the evacuation of 31 properties and prompting the city to declare a local emergency as officials warned that high tides and additional rain could worsen conditions.
The collapse was reported at approximately 5:45 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 8, near 31630 Sea Level Drive, according to the City of Malibu. The affected property is a Malibu home associated with actor Nicolas Cage.
The collapse extended beyond the private driveway and into Sea Level Drive, which is the only route in and out of the affected neighborhood. The loss of access became a central concern for officials because emergency personnel could be unable to reach residents if another incident occurred.
The city said the sinkhole was caused by coastal erosion associated with high waves and tides generated by Hurricane Marie. The storm itself did not make landfall in California, but its remnants produced significant coastal impacts along Southern California.
Sinkhole forces evacuation of 31 properties
The situation initially led city officials to red-tag five homes while the Building Safety Division and Southern California Gas Company assessed the immediate danger.
As the extent of the roadway and coastal erosion became clearer, the city expanded the response. Officials ultimately issued a mandatory evacuation order covering 31 affected properties, all of which were red-tagged because of hazardous conditions and the loss of reliable emergency access.
The red tags prohibit residents from entering the affected properties until officials determine that conditions are safe.
The City of Malibu’s latest update said the evacuation order and red-tag designations remained in effect as of Sept. 11. The city explained that Sea Level Drive is the only route serving the neighborhood and that erosion had prevented normal entry and exit.
That means the issue is not limited to damage at a single home. The compromised roadway has created an access problem for the entire affected group of properties.
Gas leak adds another hazard
The driveway collapse also resulted in a gas leak.
According to the city, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and Los Angeles County Fire Department responded after the collapse and helped close the private roadway. Southern California Gas Company was brought in to address the leak.
In a subsequent update, Malibu officials said SoCalGas shut off gas service Tuesday evening to address the leak and prevent additional leaks.
Water service was also shut off by Waterworks District 29 as a precaution against potential water-main breaks.
The combination of the roadway collapse, gas leak, water-service concerns and continuing coastal erosion complicated the emergency response and made normal access to the neighborhood more difficult.
High tides and coastal flooding added pressure
The sinkhole developed during a period of unusually hazardous coastal conditions.
The National Weather Service Los Angeles/Oxnard had issued a Coastal Flood Advisory and High Surf Advisory covering the Malibu Coast and other Southern California beaches. The advisory warned of moderate coastal flooding and large breaking waves, with dangerous and potentially life-threatening rip currents.
For the Malibu Coast, the National Weather Service reported breaking waves of roughly 5 to 8 feet, with local sets reaching higher levels during the most active period of the swell.
Those conditions were particularly concerning along Sea Level Drive because the affected homes sit directly along the coastline.
Malibu officials warned residents that additional high tides and rain associated with Hurricane Marie could make the erosion worse. The city’s initial emergency declaration specifically cited the expanding sinkhole and its impact on access for both residents and emergency services.
City declares local emergency
By Tuesday evening, the City of Malibu formally declared the existence of a local emergency.
The proclamation was made by the city’s Director of Emergency Services following consultation with the Los Angeles County Fire Department and Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. Officials cited public safety concerns created by the expanding sinkhole and the resulting loss of access.
A temporary shelter was established at Malibu High School for residents displaced by the evacuation order, with the American Red Cross involved in the shelter response.
The city also continued monitoring other coastal areas affected by erosion and high surf, including portions of Pacific Coast Highway in the Palisades Fire burn area and Westward Beach.
The city said the broader coastal conditions could include strong storms, heavy rain, mudslides, strong waves and additional erosion.
Repairs began within hours
The private roadway is controlled by the neighborhood homeowners association, which assumed responsibility for the repair work.
According to Malibu officials, the HOA began repairs within hours of the collapse after obtaining the necessary city permits. The association is working with licensed engineers and contractors as officials continue assessing the damaged area.
The city’s Sept. 11 update said the HOA remains responsible for overseeing the repair effort, while Malibu officials are working with the association to secure permits needed for permanent repairs.
Earlier estimates indicated that repairs could take approximately five weeks, although the city has not established a final date for lifting the evacuations.
The city said future updates would be issued once officials have verified information about the repair timeline, the evacuation order and the red-tag designations.
Emergency response has shifted to monitoring
By Sept. 11, Malibu said it was demobilizing its Emergency Operations Center, marking the end of the initial emergency-response phase.
That did not mean the neighborhood had been cleared for residents to return.
The mandatory evacuation order and red tags for all 31 affected properties remained in place because the road erosion continued to prevent normal access and could interfere with emergency evacuation routes if another incident occurred.
The city said it would continue monitoring the site and assessing safety conditions while repairs move forward.
That distinction is important: the city’s emergency operations phase has ended, but the residential emergency itself has not been fully resolved.
Nicolas Cage’s Malibu property
The sinkhole affected a beachfront Malibu home associated with actor Nicolas Cage. The property was unoccupied when the collapse occurred, and no injuries were reported.
The most immediate official concern has been the condition of the roadway and surrounding properties rather than the identity of the property’s owner.
The city has not indicated that anyone was inside the affected home when the driveway collapsed.
The absence of injuries was also significant given the scale of the collapse and the fact that the roadway serves as the neighborhood’s primary access point.
Coastal erosion remains a broader Malibu concern
The Sea Level Drive incident comes as Malibu continues to deal with coastal erosion along several parts of its shoreline.
The city said it was monitoring erosion at multiple locations while working with partner agencies in response to strong waves and high tides. Officials also warned of the potential for additional storm activity, heavy rain and mudslides along the Southern California coast.
The National Weather Service’s advisories provide additional context for the timing of the collapse. The Malibu Coast was included in warnings for elevated surf and coastal flooding during the period when the Sea Level Drive erosion occurred.
For the 31 evacuated properties, however, the immediate issue remains physical access and structural safety.
Until the roadway and surrounding area are deemed safe, residents cannot return to their homes.
What happens next
The City of Malibu says the evacuation order and red tags will remain in place until officials determine that conditions are safe.
The HOA and its engineers and contractors are overseeing repairs to the private roadway, while the city continues to assess the site and process the permits required for permanent work.
The city has also said it will provide additional information about when the evacuation order can be lifted and when the red tags can be canceled.
For now, the sinkhole remains both a property-damage issue and an emergency-access problem. The collapse damaged a beachfront driveway, contributed to a gas leak and disrupted the only road serving the affected neighborhood, while coastal conditions created the possibility of additional erosion.
Although the city’s initial emergency response has been scaled back, 31 properties remain evacuated and red-tagged while repairs and safety assessments continue.
