Malibu declared a local emergency after a 25-to-30-foot-deep sinkhole cut off access to 31 oceanfront properties and forced evacuations along Sea Level Drive.
Story Highlights
- City leaders declared a local emergency and issued evacuation orders tied to a massive sinkhole.
- Officials say the collapse threatens homes and blocks fire, medical, and law enforcement access.
- The hole measures about 25–30 feet deep and 30 by 60 feet wide, with red tags posted.
- High tides and rain linked to Hurricane Marie worsened the risk, prompting rapid action.
Emergency Declaration And Immediate Risk
City of Malibu officials declared a local emergency on September 8, 2026, after a large sinkhole formed near 31630 Sea Level Drive. The City said the hole poses an imminent danger to nearby homes and residents, and it blocks safe access for first responders. The declaration followed consultation with Los Angeles County Fire Department and Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. The City reported the sinkhole is about 25 to 30 feet deep and 30 by 60 feet wide.
The City’s update stated that all 31 properties on the private road were red tagged due to hazardous conditions and the loss of access for fire, medical, and sheriff crews. Deputies notified residents in person, and officials issued Everbridge alerts. A temporary shelter opened at Malibu High School. The City also closed the private road to protect the public and to allow emergency crews to work without added risk from pass-through traffic.
Timeline, Conditions, And Weather Drivers
City records indicate the ground conditions began changing on September 7, with the sinkhole noted the next day. Officials linked the event to coastal erosion as well as high surf, high tides, and rain associated with Hurricane Marie. A Coastal Flood Advisory remained in effect on September 8, which raised concern that tides and waves could push more sand and soil out, leading to further collapse and unstable edges at the site.
The City described a rapid shift from a driveway collapse and gas leak response to broader evacuations as access failed. By evening on September 8, leaders signed the emergency proclamation to speed resources, limit public exposure to danger, and coordinate across agencies. The update explained that the main safety threat was not only ground failure under structures, but also that ambulances and fire engines could not reach people if a medical or fire emergency occurred.
What We Know About Properties And Access
Officials said seven residences faced direct structural hazard, while the rest of the 31 parcels lost safe access because the road and shoulder areas were unstable. The City issued evacuation orders for all affected addresses. Crews marked properties and the route as unsafe while they assessed options for shoring the area and restoring limited access for emergency vehicles. City statements emphasized that conditions on the bluff can shift with tides, which adds risk to any work plan near the edge.
A MESS IN MALIBU ‼️: The home of Hollywood blockbuster star Nicolas Cage was damaged after a massive sinkhole swallowed the driveway. Authorities said severe coastal erosion caused the collapse, with the sinkhole estimated to be about 30 feet by 30 feet in size.
Drone footage… pic.twitter.com/vuNcCT2eYF
— FOX Weather (@foxweather) September 9, 2026
News outlets and weather services reported that the sinkhole opened near a home linked in media coverage to actor Nicolas Cage, and they echoed the City’s account that the collapse blocked emergency access to dozens of residences. Reports noted the timing across Tuesday’s storm conditions, with evacuations following the local emergency declaration. These accounts align with the City’s description of the hazard size and the access problem on Sea Level Drive.
Why This Matters Beyond One Block
The Malibu event reflects a growing pattern on California’s coast where erosion, high tides, and storm waves strain roads and seawalls. Local leaders often face a hard tradeoff: move fast to protect people now, then sort out permits and engineering later. That sequence is visible here, with temporary sheltering, road closure, and red tags used to reduce risk. City messages framed the response as an immediate safety step while longer-term fixes are considered.
Sources:
malibucity.org, accuweather.com
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