Malibu’s coastline crisis worsens as erosion triggers evacuations

Powerful waves are reshaping the coast

Southern California’s famous coastline is facing a rough stretch as powerful ocean waves pound beaches, seawalls, and waterfront neighborhoods. Hurricane Marie stayed offshore, but its large swell still reached the coast with enough force to cause serious trouble.

Homes were evacuated, roads and walkways were damaged, and parts of the shoreline lost more sand. The damage shows how quickly coastal conditions can change when strong surf meets an already vulnerable shoreline.

From Long Beach to Malibu and Dana Point, residents are now dealing with the effects of waves, erosion, and flooding.

Long Beach homes face evacuation

At least 24 oceanfront homes in Long Beach were placed under evacuation orders after powerful waves damaged the seawall and boardwalk along the Peninsula. Officials issued the orders as a precaution while inspectors evaluated the structural condition of affected properties.

The seawall was not the only concern. Waves damaged sections of the boardwalk and cracked or buckled concrete near several properties. Sand and water pushed inland by the surf also flooded parts of the neighborhood, while residents reported drains clogged with sand.

Waves damaged more than seawalls

The powerful surf caused damage that reached well beyond the shoreline itself. In Long Beach, sections of the boardwalk were affected, while concrete near several oceanfront homes developed cracks as the coast took repeated hits from large waves.

The combination of rough surf and an exposed shoreline made the damage worse. Water and sand moved into areas that normally remain protected from the ocean. City officials had to assess the affected properties before residents could safely return, showing how coastal damage can create problems far beyond the beach.

Hurricane Marie packed a distant punch

Hurricane Marie did not need to make landfall in Southern California to cause problems there. The storm remained well offshore, but its powerful swell traveled toward the coast and produced dangerous surf along Southern California beaches.

The effects were felt during the Labor Day weekend and continued into Tuesday. Large waves combined with elevated tides to create difficult coastal conditions. This is a reminder that a storm’s influence can extend far beyond its center.

For coastal communities, the arriving swell can sometimes be just as important as the storm’s location.

Coastal erosion took another hit

Many parts of California already face ongoing coastal erosion, and the powerful swell made those problems worse. Strong waves can carry away beach sand and expose areas that normally provide a natural buffer between the ocean and nearby properties.

At Aliso Beach in Laguna Beach, erosion undermined part of a parking lot, forcing a section to close. Much of the beach in front of it was also affected. The situation shows why losing sand can become more than an environmental concern when roads, parking areas, and buildings are nearby.

Little-known fact: During the 2015-16 El Niño, some Central California beaches lost an average of about 150 feet to erosion.

A seawall collapsed before the worst

Laguna Beach was already dealing with serious coastal pressure before Hurricane Marie’s strongest effects arrived. A seawall protecting an oceanfront home collapsed after weeks of relentless surf and high tides.

That earlier damage left the area even more vulnerable when the powerful swell moved toward Southern California. Seawalls are built to help protect properties from waves, but they can face tremendous pressure during prolonged periods of rough conditions.

When protective structures fail, homes and nearby infrastructure can quickly become exposed to the ocean.

Malibu faced a sudden sinkhole

Malibu saw a different kind of coastal emergency when the driveway of an oceanfront property owned by actor Nicolas Cage collapsed into a massive sinkhole. The collapse also triggered a gas leak that emergency crews and SoCalGas responded to.

As conditions worsened, Malibu issued evacuation orders affecting 31 residences along Sea Level Drive. Seven homes were red-tagged because of hazardous conditions, while 24 additional residences were affected because the damaged roadway restricted safe vehicle and emergency access.

Malibu declares a local emergency

The sinkhole became serious enough for the City of Malibu to declare a local state of emergency. Officials were dealing with an expanding opening near oceanfront properties as crews worked to understand the damage and address the gas leak.

Authorities also warned that conditions could get worse because high tides and rain were expected. That combination can place additional pressure on already weakened areas. Residents near the affected properties faced restrictions while officials focused on safety and worked to determine what could happen next.

Dana Point homes take a beating

Dana Point was another Southern California community hit by powerful Pacific swells. Several homes in the Capistrano Beach area were damaged as rough surf reached waterfront properties along Beach Road.

Aerial images showed the scale of the problem, with waves and water reaching areas close to homes. The damage highlighted how exposed some coastal neighborhoods can be when large swells arrive. For residents living directly beside the ocean, even a storm that remains far offshore can bring dangerous conditions to their doorstep.

High tides added to the trouble

The large waves were only part of the problem along California’s coast. Elevated tides also contributed to coastal flooding, giving incoming surf less room to spread before reaching beaches, roads and structures. Coastal Flood Advisories covered much of California’s shoreline beginning over Labor Day weekend and continuing into Tuesday.

Southern California experienced some of the strongest effects from Hurricane Marie’s swell, while rough surf and higher tides also affected communities farther north. Together, these conditions increased pressure on an already vulnerable coastline.

Fun fact: NOAA notes that about 80% of California’s population lives within 30 miles of the Pacific Ocean.

Beach erosion can spread quickly

Coastal erosion does not always happen in one dramatic event. Repeated waves can gradually remove sand, weaken the shoreline, and expose areas that once had more protection from the ocean.

The recent conditions showed how quickly that process can become noticeable. Beaches lost sand, structures near the water were damaged, and some public areas had to close.

When the natural beach barrier becomes smaller, waves can reach farther inland. That can put homes, roads, parking lots, and other infrastructure at greater risk during future periods of rough surf.

More coastal trouble could follow

Officials warned that the situation could worsen as additional high tides and rain moved toward Southern California. Areas already weakened by erosion and wave damage can be especially sensitive to new rounds of water and surf.

That means residents and local officials may have to keep a close eye on coastal conditions even after the strongest waves pass. The recent damage from Long Beach to Malibu and Dana Point shows how several different problems can develop at the same time when powerful swells meet vulnerable shorelines.

California’s scenic rail routes are giving travelers another way to enjoy the coast without sitting in traffic. Discover why more people are choosing this memorable train ride for their next trip.

California’s coastline faces a challenge

The latest damage is a reminder that Southern California’s coastline can be vulnerable even when a major storm stays offshore. Powerful swells, high tides, and ongoing erosion combined to affect homes, public spaces, and infrastructure across several communities.

From evacuated homes in Long Beach to the sinkhole in Malibu and damaged properties in Dana Point, the impacts varied from place to place. For coastal residents, the events offer a clear look at how quickly ocean conditions can change and why shoreline protection remains such an important issue.

Hurricane Marie has battered Long Beach, damaging coastal barriers and flooding nearby streets. Find out how the powerful storm is reshaping parts of the coastline.

What do you think communities should do to better protect vulnerable shorelines? Share your thoughts in the comments and let us know how you see California’s coastal future.

This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.

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