A sinkhole measuring approximately 30 by 30 feet has opened up in front of Nicolas Cage's Malibu beachfront home after his driveway collapsed on Tuesday. The incident, attributed to coastal erosion exacerbated by Hurricane Marie, also resulted in a gas leak.
The collapse occurred after days of rough surf and high tides generated by the hurricane, according to the Los Angeles County Fire Department. Video footage of the scene shows waves crashing near the exposed beams supporting the actor's home, with debris from the driveway and glass fencing visible in the sinkhole.
The City of Malibu stated that emergency services responded to the collapsed driveway and the subsequent gas leak in the early hours of Tuesday. The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department and Fire Department secured the private road and identified the leak. The City's Building Safety Division and Southern California Gas Company are assessing the situation.
As a precautionary measure, the City red-tagged five homes, prohibiting entry until safety concerns are evaluated. No evacuations have been ordered, but the city is monitoring other coastal areas for similar erosion issues along the Pacific Coast Highway, particularly in the Palisades Fire burn area and at Westward Beach, due to strong waves and high tides. This comes as the region prepares for potential strong storms, heavy rain, and mudslides associated with forecasted El Niño conditions.
Cage purchased the 4,000-square-foot oceanfront property in 2024 for $10.5 million. The modern home features a rooftop deck, an outdoor lounge area, and floor-to-ceiling windows offering ocean views. There were no reported injuries, and it is understood that Cage was not home at the time of the incident.
