A Massive Sinkhole Has Opened Under Nicolas Cage’s Mansion

Wet weather is being blamed for a terrifying sight that is unfolding in one section of the Malibu coastline, as a massive sinkhole opened under a home. The incident happened during the early morning hours of Sept. 8, 2026, according to the Associated Press (AP).

AP says that coastal flooding caused by Marie was to blame. While the downgraded hurricane was just a post-tropical cyclone when it passed by Southern California, it still brought churning waves that battered the vulnerable coastline. The City of Malibu issued an Emergency Proclamation after the sinkhole was identified, ordering the immediate evacuation of Sea Level Drive.

Now, reports are saying that an uber-famous name is among those who are being asked to leave their homes, since the AP reports that Nicolas Cage is rumored to own the home that is teetering on the side of the sinkhole. According to the outlet, he was believed to have purchased the property in 2024.

And he may not be able to return anytime soon, since a statement was posted on the City of Malibu’s website on Wednesday, telling residents that the sinkhole had caused a driveway and part of the road to collapse, causing a gas leak and limiting access for emergency responders. Here’s what we know.

31 ‘Parcels’ Have Been Evacuated

As of Sept. 8, 31 properties were red-tagged, and evacuations were ordered to keep residents safe. According to the city’s statement, SoCalGas has shut off service after detecting the leak, while Waterworks District 29 has shut off water to avoid potential water main breaks. 

Additionally, the homeowners association (HOA) that is responsible for maintaining the roadway near where the sinkhole appeared has already begun shoring up the area and repairing what it can. The statement says that the HOA expects the process to take about five weeks, depending on weather conditions. 

In the meantime, an emergency shelter was established by the American Red Cross. Anyone living in the affected properties is invited to head to Malibu High School for shelter and assistance. 

Nicolas Cage Hasn’t Released a Statement

According to the AP, Cage hasn’t released a statement about the incident, nor have his representatives responded to requests for comment. Realtor.com has also suggested that the 62-year-old purchased the property in 2024, writing that the property was originally listed for sale for $11.25 million, or for rent for $25,000.

It seems like just bad luck that a sinkhole would open almost directly under his home just two years after he purchased it, but according to the U.S. Geological Survey, these massive depressions are caused when large amounts of water lack surface drainage and instead soak into the ground, eventually draining into the subsurface. This causes the rocks and sediment below the surface to dissolve as groundwater moves past them, creating a vast cavern, much like the one that appeared beneath Cage’s rumored home.  

That being said, coastal erosion can work a little bit differently when creating sinkholes, so the mechanics of how this one was formed may be a little different (for example, the waves may have washed subsurface away).