31 homes red-tagged in Malibu after sinkhole swallows Nicolas Cage’s driveway

Homeowners at a few of Southern California’s priciest beach enclaves were assessing the damage caused by former Hurricane Marie, which sent huge waves crashing into houses Sunday, Monday and Tuesday.

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As of Wednesday in Malibu, 31 homes were red-tagged, residents were evacuated, and a state of emergency was declared after pounding surf and coastal erosion opened a massive sinkhole at actor Nicolas Cage’s beachfront home early Tuesday, threatening the integrity of nearby structures along Sea Level Drive.

The driveway collapse extended into the roadway, blocking resident and emergency access. Southern California Gas Co. shut off gas service Tuesday evening to address a gas leak at the property and prevent further leaks. Waterworks District 29 shut off water service to prevent water main breaks.

The city proclaimed a local emergency and issued an evacuation order for the 31 properties due to hazardous conditions and the loss of access for fire and sheriff’s personnel to respond to medical, fire or law enforcement emergencies. The American Red Cross established a temporary shelter at Malibu High School, 30215 Morning View Drive.

On Wednesday, Malibu officials said the sinkhole and erosion did not significantly expand overnight.

“The HOA, which controls the private roadway, began repairs with city permits within hours of the incident. The HOA is continuing further construction for repairs and shoring up the area, which is expected to be completed in about five weeks depending on conditions,” city officials said.

Malibu officials said they were also “actively monitoring and responding to coastal erosion issues in areas including Pacific Coast Highway in the Palisades Fire burn area and at Westward Beach due to strong waves and high tides, in close collaboration with partner agencies.”

No injuries were reported.

Cage purchased the home in the 31600 block of Sea Level Drive East in 2024 for a reported $10.5 million. The home was not occupied at the time of the driveway collapse, according to officials.

Meanwhile, in Dana Point in south Orange County, truckloads of boulders were placed along a stretch of beach after several homes were deemed uninhabitable, with one partially collapsing into the sea.

Seven homes were red-tagged, and two others received yellow tags limiting access. City officials were on site inspecting the damage and advising residents when they need to leave their homes. Coastal Commission staff, who are responsible for issuing Emergency Coastal Development Permits, worked overtime to help residents get services, officials said.

Orange County Board of Supervisors Vice Chair Katrina Foley visited the residents Tuesday afternoon to assess the damage and connect people with services. Foley noted that the homeowners who had piers were in better position to withstand the waves.

“Those homes, their decks aren’t washing away,” Foley said. “Their bigger concern is water going underneath the homes.”

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But “those homes built on the sand in the 1950s — those homes are just trashed,” Foley said. “One house was completely demolished.”

Foley said she was on hand to “be supportive, to try to help expedite things and really just help residents navigate what is obviously a frustrating bureaucracy.”

She said county officials have been working on plans to replenish sand on the beaches to protect the coast.

“If we had a deeper beach the wave action wouldn’t be coming up so close to the homes and dissipate much further out,” Foley said. “We have to make that a priority if we want to protect our coast.”

In San Clemente, the storm also caused stabilization issues to a Metrolink track over the weekend, prompting a temporary closure of the rail line.

And in Long Beach, residents were allowed to return to their homes Wednesday morning after city building inspectors completed their assessments on the Alamitos Peninsula, just west of Seal Beach. Several homes were damaged between 63rd Place and 68th Place over Labor Day weekend, with as many as two dozen later placed under evacuation orders, but those orders were lifted Wednesday.

“Building officials yellow-tagged one property. No homes were red-tagged, and all remaining homes were deemed safe for occupancy, allowing residents to return to their homes,” a spokesman for the Long Beach Fire Department told City News Service.

Long Beach Parks, Recreation and Marine and Public Works crews continued cleanup and recovery efforts throughout the affected areas.

“Emergency repair work conducted overnight along the seawall held and was effective in providing additional protection to the area,” the spokesman added.

A section of the Peninsula’s wooden boardwalk was also heavily damaged, and will remain closed to the public while repairs continue.

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