Sinkhole forces evacuation of 31 homes on Malibu's Sea Level Drive

A sinkhole that opened at about 5:45 a.m. on Tuesday on Sea Level Drive in Malibu has forced the evacuation of 31 homes in the exclusive beachfront enclave. The crater, estimated at 25 to 30 feet deep and 30 by 60 feet wide, collapsed a private driveway that serves as the only access point for the street, cutting off emergency routes.

Malibu City Manager Joseph Irvin warned that the incident may not be isolated, citing ongoing coastal erosion. The sinkhole also damaged a natural-gas line, prompting SoCalGas to shut off service, and water service was halted to prevent main breaks. Two Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department patrol cars were stationed at the road entrance on Wednesday.

All affected properties have been red-tagged for hazardous conditions. Seven homes received tags due to direct sinkhole damage, while the remaining 24 were tagged because the narrowed roadway cannot accommodate fire trucks, ambulances or sheriff’s vehicles. Officials said the intact portion of the road is too narrow for large emergency apparatus.

The homeowners association began repair work within hours, securing city permits to shore up the roadway. Repairs are projected to take about five weeks, with costs expected to be borne largely by the property owners.

Actor Nicolas Cage’s cliff-top mansion, purchased in 2024 and undergoing renovations, sits adjacent to the sinkhole but was unoccupied at the time of the collapse. Cage has not commented on the incident.

The sinkhole is attributed to severe coastal erosion caused by high surf, tides and waves linked to Hurricane Marie. City officials are coordinating with the Los Angeles County Fire Department, the sheriff’s department, SoCalGas, the American Red Cross and the homeowners association to stabilize the area and monitor other vulnerable coastal points as the region prepares for potential storms and El Niño-related weather this winter.