Gas leak reported after beachfront driveway gives way amid high surf and coastal erosion in western Malibu
A large sinkhole and collapsed driveway at a beachfront property on Sea Level Drive prompted an emergency response early Tuesday morning, resulting in a gas leak, the closure of the private road and five homes being red-tagged as officials assess the safety of the surrounding area.
Neighbors in the usually serene Broad Beach area woke to emergency crews at approximately 5:45 a.m. on Sept. 8 after an approximately 30-foot-by-30-foot sinkhole caused a driveway to collapse at a beachfront residence in the 31600 block of Sea Level Drive East near Point Lechuza.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and Los Angeles County Fire Department responded to the scene, closed the private road and identified a gas leak, according to the City of Malibu. Southern California Gas Co. crews were dispatched and were working to address the leak Tuesday morning.
Video from the scene showed the severity of the coastal conditions, with powerful waves surging beneath the beachfront home through the section where the driveway had collapsed.
The incident comes after Malibu experienced significant beach incursion and high surf associated with Tropical Storm Marie over the Labor Day weekend, with large waves and high tides continuing to batter portions of the coastline.
Malibu’s Building Safety Division responded to evaluate the affected property and neighboring homes. As of Tuesday morning, the city had red-tagged five homes, prohibiting entry while officials determine whether the structures can be safely occupied.
“The City’s Building Safety Division and Southern California Gas Company will continue to assess the situation to determine safety concerns for the surrounding area, and will provide updates as they become available,” the city said in a statement.
No injuries had been reported as of Tuesday morning. It was not immediately clear whether anyone was inside the affected home when the driveway collapsed.
The National Weather Service’s high surf and coastal flood advisories remained in effect through 11 p.m. Tuesday. Forecasters warned of dangerous rip currents, large breaking waves and the potential for additional coastal flooding, particularly during periods of high tide.
The Sea Level Drive incident is not the only location where Malibu officials are watching the coastline closely. The city said it is actively monitoring and responding to coastal erosion along Pacific Coast Highway in the Palisades Fire burn area and at Westward Beach, where strong waves and high tides have also caused concerns.
City officials said they are coordinating closely with partner agencies as Malibu prepares for the possibility of additional strong storms, large waves, heavy rain, mudslides and coastal erosion associated with forecast strong El Niño conditions along the Southern California coast.
Tuesday’s collapse underscores the vulnerability of Malibu’s beachfront properties as a combination of high surf, elevated tides and coastal erosion continues to affect portions of the shoreline.
The Malibu Times will update this story as more information becomes available. Article was updated at 12pm.