Thirty-one Malibu homes are under evacuation orders after a massive sinkhole collapsed the driveway of an oceanfront property linked to actor Nicolas Cage.
Sea Level Drive Collapse Triggers Evacuations and Red Tags
Emergency responders rushed to the 31600 block of Sea Level Drive East at approximately 5:45 a.m. after receiving initial reports of a suspected gas main break. Los Angeles County Fire Department and Sheriff’s Department crews arrived to find that the pavement had completely given way, swallowing part of the private road and driveway near Lechuza Beach.
Real estate records show the four-level, nearly 4,000-square-foot residence was purchased in 2024 for $10.5 million. Fire officials confirmed that the home was unoccupied at the time of the collapse, and no injuries have been reported.
As the day progressed, the initial void expanded dramatically. The city’s Building Safety Division and Southern California Gas Company rushed to the scene to shut off compromised gas and water lines as the ground continued to slough away.
Emergency Declarations and Access Restrictions Along the Coast
The City of Malibu declared a local emergency as conditions deteriorated, issuing mandatory evacuation orders that ultimately impacted 31 properties. City officials red-tagged five homes, prohibiting entry due to direct structural hazards, while another 24 residences were red-tagged because the massive roadway collapse cut off safe vehicle access.
“Emergency personnel access is severely constrained and may be impassable, due to the large portion of the road that has collapsed. The intact portion of the roadway is too narrow to accommodate emergency response vehicles, including fire engines and other large apparatus, creating a substantial risk to public safety and emergency response capabilities.”
City of Malibu, Emergency Declaration
To assist displaced residents, a temporary shelter was established at Malibu High School located at 30215 Morning View Drive. While gas service was immediately cut to the affected blocks, city officials warned that water lines might also be shut down entirely if instability persists.
Pounding Surf and Regional Weather Threats
The catastrophic driveway failure is part of a broader environmental assault driven by heavy ocean swells. Over the weekend, the remnants of Hurricane Marie began hammering the coastline, sending large breaking waves crashing against waterfront properties.
The National Weather Service issued high surf and coastal flood advisories, warning of dangerous, potentially life-threatening currents alongside significant beach erosion in low-lying areas. The advisory covered Ventura County beaches, Los Angeles County beaches, Catalina and Santa Barbara islands, and the Malibu coast.
Local officials note that these acute coastal incidents arrive alongside broader seasonal warnings. In its official emergency declaration, the city highlighted mounting hazards tied to a strengthening super El Niño event expected to bring record sea levels and severe beach narrowing.
Citywide Monitoring and Next Steps
Malibu personnel are not only managing the Sea Level Drive crisis but are actively monitoring vulnerable areas along the Pacific Coast Highway in the recent Palisades Fire burn area and at Westward Beach. Emergency teams remain on alert for potential mudslides, heavy rain, and continued storm surges as high tides roll in.
Officials have not yet indicated when evacuation orders will be lifted along Sea Level Drive. Building safety inspectors and utility crews continue to evaluate the stability of the remaining road infrastructure as weather advisories remain active.
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