More than 30 properties in Malibu, California, had to evacuate after a 30-foot-deep sinkhole opened on Tuesday under the driveway of a beachfront home owned by actor Nicolas Cage.

“The Director of Emergency Services of the City of Malibu has declared the existence of a local emergency following a large sinkhole forming near 31630 Sea Level Drive,” the City of Malibu said in a statement.

“The proclamation was created in consultation with the LA County Fire Department and LA County Sheriff’s Department, citing public safety concerns as an expanding sinkhole restricts vital access for residents and emergency services. Authorities warn that these conditions are likely to worsen with forecasted high tides and rain caused by Hurricane Marie. A Coastal Flood Advisory has been issued until 11:00 PM on September 8, 2026,” it continued.

“An evacuation order is in effect for all affected properties. Sheriff Deputies have notified residents in person, and a digital alert has been issued by the City through Everbridge,” it added.

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Mr. Cage bought the house where the sinkhole formed for $10.5 million, The New York Times reported in 2024. The four-level, nearly 4,000-square-foot house has beach access, according to property records. The street is popular among celebrities because access to it is restricted, a listing agent said at the time of the purchase.

A representative for Mr. Cage did not immediately respond to a request for comment. It was unclear as of early Wednesday morning whether the home was occupied when the sinkhole formed or how many residents in the area were evacuated. News of the sinkhole opening at Mr. Cage’s home was reported earlier by The Los Angeles Times.

“A temporary shelter is being established by the American Red Cross at Malibu High School for the affected properties,” the City of Malibu stated.

The National Weather Service had issued a coastal flood advisory for Southern California over Labor Day weekend.

According to The New York Times, local authorities said they were monitoring and responding to “coastal erosion issues” in the area.

Coastal erosion is believed to have caused the sinkhole at Cage’s property.

Watch below:

KTLA shared further:

Firefighters arrived to find the home’s driveway had collapsed, possibly due to coastal erosion, Torres said. He estimated the hole to be about 30 feet by 30 feet.

Sky5 was over the scene at 7 a.m., where waves could be seen through the massive hole as they crashed beneath the home.

No injuries were reported.

“Substantial damage done to this home, or at least the driveway to this home here in Malibu,” KTLA’s Rich Prickett said. “It doesn’t appear that anybody was home. As a matter of fact, the house looks like it is under some sort of renovation.”

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SoCalGas announced that a half-inch natural gas line had been damaged and that crews were working with first responders to assess the damage, stop the flow of gas and potentially make repairs.

The City of Malibu said in an update that five homes had been red-tagged, prohibiting residents from entering, as a result of the incident.

Access to the gated community was also being restricted.

The collapse comes amid days of high surf that has pounded the Southern California coast since former Hurricane Marie developed in the Pacific.

 

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