All 31 Sea Level Drive properties red-tagged as repairs begin following massive sinkhole

By The Malibu Times · Thu Sep 10 2026

Mandatory evacuation remains in effect as gas and water are shut off; emergency repairs expected to take about five weeks

All 31 properties affected by the massive Sea Level Drive sinkhole have now been red-tagged and remain under mandatory evacuation as emergency construction begins to stabilize the private beachfront road, according to a Wednesday, Sept. 9, update from the City of Malibu. The city reported some encouraging news Wednesday, saying the sinkhole and surrounding erosion did not significantly expand overnight. However, the loss of roadway access remains a serious public safety concern, and officials said the mandatory evacuation and red tags remain in place.

The incident was reported at approximately 5:45 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 8, after coastal erosion from high waves and tides associated with Hurricane Marie caused the collapse of a beachfront driveway in the 31600 block of Sea Level Drive East near Point Lechuza. The collapse extended into the private roadway, blocking the neighborhood's only entrance and exit.

The city subsequently proclaimed a local emergency and issued an evacuation order covering 31 parcels.

According to the city's emergency proclamation, the sinkhole was approximately 25 to 30 feet deep and 30 by 60 feet wide. The proclamation said conditions associated with the sinkhole were believed to have begun developing Sept. 7, although the full extent of the impacts was still being evaluated.

Initially, seven residences were red-tagged because of hazardous conditions resulting directly from the sinkhole, with an additional 24 expected to be red-tagged because they had lost safe vehicular access. By Wednesday, the city confirmed that all 31 affected properties had been red-tagged.

The loss of access is a significant factor in the evacuation. Sea Level Drive has only one entrance and exit, and the remaining portion of roadway cannot safely accommodate Los Angeles County Fire Department and Sheriff's Department personnel responding to medical, fire or law enforcement emergencies.

Gas and water service shut off

SoCalGas shut off natural gas service Tuesday evening after responding to a gas leak and to prevent further leaks in the affected area.

Waterworks District 29 also shut off water service to prevent water main breaks as erosion and ground instability continue.

No injuries have been reported.

Sinkhole destroys driveway at Nicolas Cage's Malibu home

The initial collapse occurred at the beachfront home of actor Nicolas Cage, where the sinkhole swallowed the driveway and extended toward the residence's garage.

The collapse left large sections of asphalt and concrete, along with construction equipment and a portable toilet, inside or along the edge of the crater. The residence appeared to be undergoing remodeling work, and no one appeared to be home when the collapse occurred.

Malibu Building and Safety personnel were called to evaluate the property and determine whether the residence itself had sustained structural damage.

Cage purchased the Sea Level Drive property for $10.5 million in 2024. The approximately 4,000-square-foot, four-level residence was built in the 1990s and includes expansive ocean views and a rooftop deck.

While the damage at Cage's property drew widespread attention, the incident quickly became a much larger neighborhood emergency as erosion compromised the roadway and underground utilities and eliminated safe access to dozens of neighboring properties.

Repairs begin within hours

The homeowners association, which controls the private roadway, began repairs with City of Malibu permits within hours of the incident, according to the city.

The HOA is continuing construction to repair and shore up the damaged area. That work is expected to take approximately five weeks, although the timeline will depend on weather, surf and other conditions.

Restoring roadway access is particularly critical because emergency personnel are currently unable to safely reach the affected properties with fire engines and other large apparatus.

The city continues to coordinate with the Los Angeles County Fire Department, Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, SoCalGas, American Red Cross and the HOA.

“Public safety remains the City’s top priority, and the mandatory evacuation and red tags remain in place,” the city said Wednesday. “We understand how difficult and disruptive this evacuation is for affected residents and are working with our partners to stabilize the situation so residents can return home as quickly and safely as possible.”

Malibu monitoring other vulnerable coastal areas

The Sea Level Drive emergency is part of broader coastal impacts Malibu experienced during the high waves and tides associated with Hurricane Marie.

City officials said Wednesday they are also monitoring coastal erosion along Pacific Coast Highway in the Palisades Fire burn area, Point Dume State Beach and other vulnerable locations along Malibu's coastline.

The city is simultaneously preparing for the possibility of strong storms, high surf, heavy rain, mudslides and additional coastal erosion this fall and winter associated with forecast El Niño conditions.

The emergency proclamation signed Sept. 8 by City Manager and Director of Emergency Services Jos Irvin remains in effect through Sept. 15 unless it is ratified by the Malibu City Council within seven days.

For the 31 affected Sea Level Drive properties, the mandatory evacuation and red tags will remain in place while officials and the HOA work to stabilize the roadway and restore safe emergency access.

The Malibu Times will continue monitoring the Sea Level Drive emergency and coastal conditions throughout Malibu and will provide updates as additional information becomes available.