The Edge of California Is Falling Into the Ocean
Storms driven by El Niño are pulling chunks of coast away.
California's coastline is experiencing dramatic erosion this season, a result of El Niño's powerful waves and hurricane activity. Waves have toppled defensive sand berms and destroyed boardwalks, while beaches in areas like Carlsbad have been stripped of sand. Train service to San Diego was disrupted, and in Malibu, a road leading to a scenic promontory partially collapsed due to erosion. A sinkhole even opened up in Nicolas Cage's beachfront home, revealing seawater coursing more than 20 feet below.
Francois Navarre, a former paparazzi agent, discovered the sinkhole while living in Malibu for the first time. The rapid growth of the chasm beneath the street forced the city to red-tag over 30 homes as uninhabitable, leaving many residents stranded. Some of the wealthiest homeowners in the area, including a former mayor, a sports team president, and a celebrity, have no full-time presence in their properties.
Coastal scientists warn that the region has been at risk of erosion even before this year's El Niño. The warm water mass, or Kelvin wave, which has been impacting Southern California, has added an extra foot to tides, and hurricane activity has intensified. Sea-level rise due to global warming also contributes to the problem, with Malibu's coastal vulnerability report estimating that 20% of residential buildings and more than half of commercial properties could be affected by flooding, erosion, or other sea-level impacts in the coming century.
Residents in Malibu's Beach Road community, facing damage from high seas, are frustrated with the lack of support from authorities. Despite years of seeking permits for seawall defenses, the California Coastal Commission rarely approves such projects, citing potential fines and the risk of accelerating erosion. Homeowners have built barriers without permits, facing daily fines if caught.
Recent emergency permits for seawalls were approved, but the cost and lack of contractors have left residents scrambling to protect their properties.
Written by urgent.news from The Atlantic's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
