Full Breakdown
Sinkhole Cracks Driveway of Nicolas Cage’s Malibu Oceanfront Home
9/9/2026, 10:26:55 AM
The Collapse
On the morning of September 8, 2026, a 30-by-30-foot sinkhole opened in the driveway of a beachfront property on the 31600 block of Sea Level Drive in Malibu. The hole swallowed asphalt, concrete, a portable toilet and fence fragments, exposing the garage and the ocean behind it. Firefighters and utility crews arrived at about 5:45 a.m. after a report of a suspected gas-main break. Southern California Gas Company shut off the half-inch line, and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department closed the private road.
Background & Context
The four-level, roughly 4,000-square-foot mansion was bought in 2024 for $10.5 million. It sits on a narrow coastal strip vulnerable to erosion. Heavy surf and high tides from the remnants of Hurricane Marie produced waves up to 10 feet, accelerating shoreline loss along Malibu.
Data & Statistics
- Sinkhole size: ? 30 ft × 30 ft (KTLA and local outlets).
- Gas-main rupture: half-inch line, shut off by the utility.
- Red-tagged homes: reports vary between five, seven and 31 properties.
- Evacuation orders: some sources note evacuations for 31 properties; others say none were ordered.
Official Statements & Responses
City officials said the Building Safety Division and the gas company are assessing safety concerns for the area and will provide updates. The Los Angeles County Fire Department confirmed its crews responded to the gas-leak report and closed the private road.
On-the-Ground Reports
Aerial video showed waves crashing into the sinkhole and the exposed garage foundation. Orange traffic cones and a firetruck with an extended hose were visible. Concrete trucks began dumping wet concrete into the hole while crews worked to prevent further erosion. Residents reported a natural-gas odor as repairs continued.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Red-tagged homes: The Los Angeles Times and NBC Los Angeles reported five homes red-tagged; Deadline cited seven; the New York Post mentioned evacuation orders affecting 31 properties.
- Evacuation status: Deadline and the New York Post described an evacuation order for dozens of homes; Page Six and NBC Los Angeles noted no evacuations had been ordered at the time of reporting.
- Ownership details: Most reports link the residence to Nicolas Cage, but the City of Malibu’s alert does not name the owner, and the Hollywood Reporter could not obtain comment from the actor’s representative.
