Driveway collapses into sinkhole at Nicolas Cage’s Malibu home, prompting evacuations, California

Malibu ordered evacuations along Sea Level Drive after an expanding sinkhole collapsed the driveway of a beachfront home reportedly owned by actor Nicolas Cage and severely constrained emergency access. Seven residences had been red-tagged because of hazardous conditions, while another 24 were to be red-tagged because safe vehicular access had been lost.

An expanding sinkhole on Sea Level Drive in western Malibu left affected properties without safe vehicular access and the remaining roadway too narrow for large emergency vehicles, prompting evacuation orders and a local emergency declaration on September 8.

The City measured the collapse at approximately 7.6–9.1 m (25–30 feet) deep and 9.1 by 18.3 m (30 by 60 feet) across.

The incident was reported at approximately 05:45 PDT (12:45 UTC) on September 8 and also caused a gas leak near 31630 Sea Level Drive.

The affected property is linked to film star Nicolas Cage, according to media sources; however, Cage himself has made no statements regarding the incident.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and Los Angeles County Fire Department responded and closed the private road. Southern California Gas Company also responded to the damaged gas infrastructure.

Malibu’s emergency proclamation said the sinkhole emerged on September 8. Based on information available at the time, officials believed that conditions associated with the collapse had begun developing on September 7.

Five homes had been red-tagged, prohibiting entry, by 11:30 PDT on September 8. The subsequent emergency proclamation said seven residences had been red-tagged because of hazardous conditions resulting from the sinkhole.

Another 24 residences were to be red-tagged because safe vehicular access had been lost. The proclamation did not state that all 31 residences had sustained physical damage.

Gas service to the affected area was shut off. The City said water service could also be discontinued if conditions warranted it.

The remaining portion of Sea Level Drive was too narrow to accommodate fire engines and other large emergency vehicles, according to the proclamation. Emergency access was described as severely constrained and potentially impassable.

At 18:00 PDT on September 8 (01:00 UTC on September 9), Malibu’s Director of Emergency Services declared a local emergency following consultation with the county fire and sheriff’s departments.

The proclamation was adopted on September 8 and was scheduled to expire on September 15 unless ratified by the Malibu City Council within seven days.

The City ordered the evacuation of affected properties. Sheriff’s deputies notified residents in person, while Malibu issued a digital alert through Everbridge.

The American Red Cross was establishing a temporary shelter at Malibu High School, located at 30215 Morning View Drive, for affected residents. Malibu continued listing the evacuation order as an active emergency alert on September 9.

City officials reported that the sinkhole was associated with coastal erosion in the region, warning that forecast high tides and rain associated with Hurricane Marie could worsen conditions.

At 23:10 PDT on September 8 (06:10 UTC on September 9), the National Weather Service (NWS) Los Angeles/Oxnard said the Coastal Flood Advisory and High Surf Advisory had expired.

A Beach Hazards Statement remained in effect for the Malibu Coast through late September 9 because of dangerous rip currents and breaking waves associated with elevated surf. NWS warned that waves could wash people from beaches and rocks and capsize small vessels near the coast.

References:

¹ Evacuation orders issued for properties on Sea Level Drive due to a sinkhole and loss of emergency access — City of Malibu — September 8, 2026

² Proclamation of Existence of Local Emergency — Sea Level Drive sinkhole — City of Malibu — September 8, 2026

Feature image: Aerial view of sinkhole in Malibu, LA County, California on September 8, 2026. Credit: NBC News (still shot)