Large sinkhole in Malibu prompts evacuation of more than 30 properties

More than 30 properties ordered to evacuate after sinkhole grows to roughly 25-30ft deep and 30 by 60 feet wide

The city of Malibu, California, has ordered the evacuation of more than 30 properties after a large sinkhole opened on Tuesday.

Malibu officials declared a local emergency on Tuesday evening after a “large sinkhole” emerged near 31630 Sea Level Drive. The officials said the sinkhole was believed to have begun developing on Monday, and had grown to roughly 25-30ft deep and 30 by 60ft wide by Tuesday evening.

In an earlier update on Tuesday, officials said they were responding to the “collapse of a driveway” and a resulting gas leak, which had been reported at about 5.45am local time. The Los Angeles county sheriff’s department and Los Angeles county fire department closed the private road and identified the gas leak.

Actor Nicolas Cage is reportedly the owner of the home where the sinkhole formed. Cage purchased the home in 2024, the New York Times noted . A representative for Cage did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

“Conditions are continuing to be evaluated, and the full extent of the impacts is not yet known,” Malibu city officials said on Tuesday evening, warning that the sinkhole “poses imminent danger to the homes and residents along Sea Level Drive”.

By Tuesday evening, 31 properties were under an evacuation order. Officials said that seven homes had been red-tagged because of “hazardous conditions resulting from the sinkhole” while another 24 residences were red-tagged “due to the loss of safe vehicular access”. Sheriff’s deputies notified residents in person and a digital alert had been issued.

Gas service to the affected area was shut off by Tuesday evening and city officials warned that water service “may also be discontinued as conditions warrant”.

They also cautioned that “conditions are likely to worsen with forecasted high tides and rains”. Additionally, Post-tropical Cyclone Marie could continue to bring “increased rainfall and high surf” to the area.

The National Weather Service said on Tuesday that “swells generated by Marie will continue to affect portions of the coast of the Baja California Peninsula and southern California for the next couple of days”.

A coastal flood advisory had been in effect until 11pm local time on Tuesday, Malibu officials said. A temporary shelter was also established by the American Red Cross at Malibu high school.

City officials said that emergency personnel access “is severely constrained and may be impassable, due to the large portion of the road that has collapsed”. They said that as of Tuesday evening, the “intact portion of the roadway is too narrow to accommodate emergency response vehicles, including fire engines and other large apparatus, creating a substantial risk to public safety and emergency response capabilities”.