Emergency Declared: Malibu Cliff Gives Way

Malibu declared a local emergency after a 25-to-30-foot-deep sinkhole cut off access to 31 oceanfront properties and forced evacuations near Sea Level Drive.

Story Snapshot

City officials declared a local emergency and ordered evacuations near Sea Level Drive.
A sinkhole about 30 by 60 feet blocked safe access for first responders.
High tides and rain tied to Hurricane Marie worsened coastal erosion risks.

What Authorities Confirmed About The Hazard

The City of Malibu said a large sinkhole formed near 31630 Sea Level Drive and created an imminent danger to nearby homes and residents. Officials measured the collapse at about 25 to 30 feet deep and roughly 30 by 60 feet across. The city tied the hazard to coastal erosion and warned that blocked routes would slow help during fires, medical calls, or crimes. The city consulted county fire and sheriff officials before issuing the formal emergency declaration.

City updates said all 31 properties in the affected area were red tagged because fire and sheriff crews could not reach them safely. Officials reported that the incident began as a driveway collapse and gas leak response before expanding into a broader evacuation and access emergency. The city closed the private road, sent Everbridge alerts, and opened a temporary shelter at Malibu High School for displaced residents. These steps matched an active public safety response.

Why Evacuations Escalated Through The Day

Authorities said conditions began developing on September 7 and were formally observed early on September 8. By evening, the city proclaimed the emergency and expanded evacuation orders. Forecasts called for high tides and rain linked to Hurricane Marie, and a coastal flood advisory was in effect until late on September 8. Those factors raised fears that waves and runoff could further erode the bluff, widen the sinkhole, and make rescue or repair work more dangerous.

Multiple reports published the same day echoed the city’s timeline and described the sinkhole as massive. Coverage noted the damage near an oceanfront residence reportedly tied to actor Nicolas Cage, but the city documents focused on safety and access rather than ownership details. The shared facts across outlets included the depth of the hole, the blocked route, and the need to move people away while crews secured utilities and inspected the site for ongoing movement.

How This Fits A Larger Coastal Pattern

Recent Malibu alerts and news releases show a pattern that starts with erosion damage and quickly becomes an access problem for emergency services. When a single failure blocks the only safe route to a cluster of homes, officials act fast to keep people out of harm’s way. City notices in this case stated that high surf and tides tied to the storm made the threat worse, which is consistent with how shoreline events can accelerate during peak tide cycles and heavy rain.

A large sinkhole in Malibu swallowed the driveway and front deck of a house reportedly belonging to the actor Nicolas Cage on Sept. 8. It's believed the hole is a result of large ocean waves that pounded the California coast due to Hurricane Marie. pic.twitter.com/nu2oty38p7

— The Weather Network (@weathernetwork) September 11, 2026

Leaders now face two tracks of work. The first is immediate: shore up the area, keep people safe, and restore basic access so fire and medical crews can respond. The second is long-term: assess the bluff, drainage, and seawall performance, and decide what can be reinforced and what must retreat. The emergency proclamation buys time for near-term fixes and funding requests. A formal engineering report on cause and repair options would guide the next steps once the site is stable.