A massive sinkhole caused by severe coastal erosion swallowed the driveway of a Malibu mansion reportedly owned by actor Nicolas Cage, forcing local authorities to issue evacuation orders for dozens of properties, according to city officials.
Malibu Sinkhole Collapse Prompts Emergency Evacuations
The destructive incident unfolded Tuesday morning when the driveway of the coastal property collapsed, opening up a giant hole in front of the house just before 6 a.m. The sudden structural failure triggered an immediate gas leak, prompting a rapid response from local emergency personnel and utility crews. The sinkhole measures approximately 7.5 to 9 meters deep and 18 meters wide, extending directly into the roadway of the private neighborhood situated between the ocean and the Pacific Coast Highway.
Utility provider SoCalGas brought the natural gas leak under control within several hours of the initial collapse. However, the company instituted a temporary shutdown of natural gas services for an 85-foot section of the street as a precaution against ongoing coastal erosion. By Wednesday, the City of Malibu proclaimed a local emergency and escalated safety measures by issuing evacuation orders for a total of 31 properties in the vulnerable coastal area.
Severe Weather and Regional Coastal Erosion
The property damage occurred in the wake of severe weather conditions tied to a Los Angeles-area coastal flooding advisory. The advisory followed the lingering effects of Marie, a weather system that had previously strengthened into a hurricane before weakening back into a tropical storm. Although the storm did not make landfall, it generated rain and churned up dangerous waves along the Southern California coastline over the holiday weekend.
City officials emphasized that the disaster is part of a larger pattern of environmental stress along the coastline. In a statement released Wednesday, the City of Malibu noted that officials are actively monitoring coastal erosion affecting multiple vulnerable points, including the Pacific Coast Highway near the Palisades Fire burn area and Point Dume State Beach.
Property Ownership and Ongoing Developments
Public property records indicate the estate was sold in 2024, and the prior owner confirmed to the New York Times at the time of the transaction that Nicolas Cage was the buyer. Representatives for Cage did not immediately respond to media requests for comment regarding the property damage. The private neighborhood remains heavily restricted, with local authorities prohibiting entry to five total homes on the street.
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