A routine Tuesday in Malibu turned into an emergency when a sinkhole opened under Nicolas Cage’s driveway and swallowed it. The crater measures about 30 feet by 30 feet, according to reports, and it didn’t stay on his property. The collapse extended into the roadway on Sea Level Drive, and because that street has a single entry and exit point, the city red-tagged every one of the 31 homes. Seven were declared unsafe for occupancy, while the remaining 24 lost their tags over emergency access.
The likely culprit? Coastal erosion from high waves and tides linked to Hurricane Marie. Cage wasn’t home at the time, and his beachfront mansion, which he bought in 2024 for $10.5 million, appeared to be under renovation. No injuries have been reported. The American Red Cross opened a temporary shelter at Malibu High School for residents who couldn’t stay in their homes.
This one lands as a celebrity story, but the ripple effects are anything but glamorous. Thirty-one households, one blocked road, and a very real question about how coastal communities handle erosion as storms get stronger. If a sinkhole popped up on your street tomorrow, would you stay or start packing?
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Local Lawton
Local Lawton is a contributor to LocalBeat, covering local news and community stories.