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Severe coastal erosion has prompted Malibu officials to warn the public about hazardous beach conditions after a late-summer storm damaged shoreline properties, including a mansion owned by actor Nicolas Cage.
In a public update on X, the city posted: “Attention Malibu beachgoers! Be aware of hazardous beach conditions at Point Dume State Beach, starting about at the end of Westward Beach Road, due to ongoing severe beach erosion and exposed pilings, concrete and steel in the sand and the water, and steep sand cliffs, leaving little or no sandy area to walk except during low tide.”
The message continued: ”The road into the Point Dume State Beach parking lot remains closed, however the beach is not closed. Be cautious walking or swimming in that area, stay clear of exposed structures and debris, follow posted closures, and check in with Lifeguards on conditions.”
Erosion damage along a beach access road to Point Dume after recent strong surf from the offshore Hurricane Marie led to a sinkhole at actor Nicolas Cage’s Malibu beachfront home (Getty Images)
The city continues recovery efforts after an unusually strong late-summer storm earlier this month. Pounding ocean surf created a sinkhole near Cage’s beachfront residence before the driveway collapsed Tuesday morning, opening a giant hole in front of the house.
The collapse resulted in a gas leak just before 6 a.m., drawing emergency responders and utility workers. SoCalGas reported the leak was under control several hours later, but said it temporarily shut off natural gas service for an 85-foot (26-meter) section of the street as a precaution against coastal erosion.
Representatives for Cage did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Property records indicate the estate was sold in 2024, and the former owner told the New York Times during the sale that Cage was the buyer.
The property sustained damage during a Los Angeles-area coastal flooding advisory linked to the lingering effects of Marie, a hurricane that downgraded to a tropical storm. Although Marie made no landfall, it brought rainfall and churned up dangerous waves along the Southern California coastline over the holiday weekend.
Lifeguards tape up the area where the erosion hit worst (City of Malibu)
Malibu officials barred entry to five total homes on the street Tuesday, according to a statement. The private neighborhood sits situated between the ocean and the Pacific Coast Highway.
Cage, 62, recently starred in the Amazon series Spider-Noir. He will portray John Madden in a biographical film about the NFL coach and commentator releasing later this year. The actor has appeared in more than 100 films and won an Oscar for Leaving Las Vegas.