A 30-foot sinkhole has torn through the driveway outside Nicolas Cage’s Malibu home, forcing neighbors to evacuate and prompting officials to declare a local emergency.
A private road serving a gated oceanfront community where an Oscar-winning actor reportedly owns property was badly damaged by the collapse. The actor purchased the home for $10.5 million in 2024, per reports.
By Tuesday, September 8, officials had determined that the hole measured roughly 30 feet by 30 feet. Seven homes were deemed to be at immediate risk, and an additional 24 were impacted because residents could no longer move vehicles in and out safely. A temporary shelter was set up at Malibu High School for people who were forced to leave their homes.
What began as a relatively small issue grew into a full-scale emergency response within roughly a day, with the situation escalating rapidly.
How the Sinkhole Grew
When the sinkhole first showed up on September 7, it was a good deal smaller than it would become later. A resident spoke to Los Angeles Magazine about how homeowners at first thought an eight-foot hole could be handled without too much trouble.
“We thought it could be fixed pretty quickly,” they said, before “all hell broke loose.”
Over the next day, the sinkhole expanded quickly. AFP described seawater entering the hole. The collapse came after rough conditions tied to Tropical Storm Marie, which had grown to hurricane strength while staying far from land. More rain and high tides remain a threat to the already damaged ground.
Within roughly a day, the height grew from eight feet to 30 feet.
The Scale of the Damage
The officials have kept a close watch on the neighborhood’s effect, and the figures reveal how rapidly the situation grew worse.
| Category | Number Affected | Level of Risk |
|---|---|---|
| Homes directly hazardous | 7 | Residents evacuated |
| Homes affected by road damage | 24 | Vehicles unable to get in or out |
| Sinkhole size on Sept 7 | Roughly 8 feet, per a resident | Initially seemed manageable |
| Sinkhole size by Sept 8 | 30 feet by 30 feet | Declared local emergency |
Officials designated seven homes as directly hazardous, and they separately flagged 24 more homes as affected because the damaged road prevented residents from safely moving their vehicles in and out. In total, over 30 households in the gated community have been impacted in some way.
Malibu High School’s temporary shelter was set up with people who had been forced from their homes in mind.
Utilities and Repairs
After a leak was found, gas service was shut down. To lessen the chance that damaged mains would cause more trouble, the local water provider cut its own supply.
With crews facing more than a month of repairs ahead, it remains uncertain when residents can return to their homes. The evacuations and destruction have occurred without any reported injuries.
The emergency response has involved multiple services:
- Gas service shut off after a leak was found
- Water supply taken offline to protect damaged mains
- Temporary shelter opened at Malibu High School
- Seven homes deemed directly hazardous
The utility shutdowns add another layer of disruption for residents.
Cage’s Recent Work
Spider-Man Noir is a spin-off from the Spider-Verse movies, and it stars Nicolas Cage. He’s also well known for his work in classic films including Con Air and National Treasure.
The show’s first season was widely praised, yet it failed to secure a Season 2. Now, a sinkhole has shifted focus onto the Malibu property, putting it at the center of a very different kind of attention.
The property itself is oceanfront, according to reports.
Waiting for Answers
Harsh weather conditions can bring down coastal infrastructure with remarkable speed, as this collapse demonstrates.
There has been no clear timeline set for finishing the repairs or allowing people to move back home. A month-plus estimate for the work points to a lengthy period before those affected can settle back into their homes.
The priority right now is stopping the hole from expanding, securing utilities and making sure people stay safe. That is what the emergency declaration signals — a recognition of how serious the situation has become. Crews are already at work on the damage.
No injuries have been reported.
Source: dexerto.com