Sinkhole at Nicolas Cage's home
Archived — this story has rotated out of today’s deck. It is kept here in full.
The gist
A sinkhole opened under the driveway of Nicolas Cage's Malibu home on Tuesday, prompting evacuations.
More than 30 properties were ordered evacuated as coastal erosion threatens beachfront homes.
Background
The sinkhole formed after days of rough surf and high tides linked to the remnants of Hurricane Marie, which affected Southern California over the weekend. The expanding hole, caused by coastal erosion, broke a water line and a gas line, leading to a gas leak and a local emergency declaration. Many beachfront homes in the area are supported by pilings, but their driveways and front portions sit on soil that can be washed away, leaving them vulnerable.
How it unfolded
- Sep 7, 2026The sinkhole is believed to have begun developing a day before it was reported, according to the City of Malibu.
- Sep 8, 2026 5:45 a.m.Crews responding to a suspected gas main break found the driveway collapsed into a 30-by-30-foot sinkhole in the 31600 block of Sea Level Drive.
- Sep 8, 2026The City of Malibu ordered the evacuation of more than 30 properties; six homes were red-tagged and two yellow-tagged as of Tuesday afternoon.
- Sep 8, 2026 eveningThe expanding hole measured 30 by 60 feet wide, restricting access for residents and emergency services.
Who’s saying what
- Official
- The City of Malibu said the sinkhole was caused by coastal erosion and issued an evacuation order for affected properties due to public safety concerns.
- Expert
- A homeowner noted that while homes on pilings appear stable, driveways and front portions on soil are vulnerable, and the full extent of damage will need to be determined by engineers.
Still unverified
It was unclear as of 11 p.m. local time who currently owned the home, whether it was occupied when the sinkhole formed, and how many residents were evacuated. Some reports said no evacuations were ordered, while others said more than 30 properties were evacuated.