Nicolas Cage's Malibu Home Hit by Massive Sinkhole as 31 Properties Face Evacuation

A massive sinkhole has opened at Nicolas Cage's Malibu property, collapsing part of the actor's driveway and spreading into the roadway as the growing crater forced evacuations affecting 31 properties.

The collapse began at about 5:45am Tuesday, 8 September, when a gas leak was reported on Sea Level Drive. By Tuesday evening, the sinkhole had expanded to roughly 25 to 30 feet deep and 30 by 60 feet wide, prompting Malibu officials to declare a local emergency.

Driveway Collapses Into Massive Sinkhole

The sinkhole formed at the driveway of Cage's oceanfront Malibu property on Sea Level Drive. Public property records identify the actor as the owner after he purchased the property in 2024.

The sinkhole did not swallow Cage's house. Instead, the driveway outside the property collapsed, with the damage extending into the roadway and creating serious safety and access concerns.

Video footage shared by the Daily Mail shows the massive sinkhole outside the beachfront property.

31 Malibu Properties Face Evacuation

The collapse quickly developed into a neighbourhood-wide emergency.

The City of Malibu declared a local emergency and ordered evacuations affecting 31 properties along Sea Level Drive. The city said seven residences faced hazardous conditions from the sinkhole, while another 24 were affected by the loss of safe vehicle access, with all 31 properties placed under the evacuation order and red-tagged.

The city said the sinkhole had compromised the neighbourhood's only entry and exit, leaving emergency personnel without reliable access to the affected properties.

The remaining portion of the roadway was also too narrow to accommodate large emergency vehicles, including fire engines, raising concerns about the ability to respond if another emergency occurred while access remained restricted.

Gas Leak Sparks Emergency Response

The driveway collapse and gas leak prompted responses from the Los Angeles County Fire Department, Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department and Southern California Gas Company. SoCalGas crews worked to secure the leak, while city building-safety officials assessed the surrounding properties. Gas service was shut off along the affected section of the street to prevent further hazards.

No injuries had been reported in the available reports.

The American Red Cross also established a temporary shelter at Malibu High School for residents affected by the evacuation.

High Tides and Storm Raise Fears of Further Damage

The collapse occurred as powerful waves and high tides affected the Southern California coastline in the aftermath of Hurricane Marie, which had weakened into a tropical storm.

Malibu officials said the sinkhole was caused by coastal erosion from high waves and tides associated with Hurricane Marie. They also warned that high tides and additional rain associated with the storm could worsen conditions around the sinkhole.

Coastal erosion and powerful surf were also significant concerns as officials assessed whether the unstable area could sustain further damage.

Waterworks District 29 also shut off water service to prevent water-main breaks as crews assessed the unstable area.

The homeowners' association was also seeking permits to repair and shore up the private roadway, with the work expected to take up to about five weeks, depending on conditions.

Nicolas Cage Bought Malibu Mansion for $10.5 Million

Cage purchased the oceanfront Malibu property in 2024 for a reported $10.5 million (£7.8 million).

The home sits between the Pacific Ocean and Pacific Coast Highway, placing the property in the coastal area affected by erosion, powerful surf and changing weather conditions.

The actor's representatives had not immediately commented on the sinkhole or evacuation.