
The rich and famous are well-seasoned in dodging the lurking paparazzi in their Malibu haven.

But as these pictures prove, they are currently contending with a bigger threat in their exclusive gated community - their multimillion-dollar homes are getting battered by huge waves which are spilling over into their seaside showplaces.

The erosion of the beach means the celebrities and billionaires who live along the exclusive beach stretch of Malibu Colony are powerless to protect their guarded houses from the forces of nature.

As these photos powerful waves have smashed through glass panels, pulled down fences and destroyed many beach side balconies which are owned by some of the most wealthy and powerful people in the United States.

In recent years, winter storms and rising high tides have reduced the size of the famously long and impressive beach and now the high tides threaten to erode the foundations of the homes along the coast - despite millions already having been spent on a sea wall further along the coast and sand bag defenses.

The rich and famous are well-seasoned in dodging the lurking paparazzi in their Malibu haven. But as these pictures prove, they are currently contending with a different type of problem - their multimillion-dollar homes are getting battered by huge waves spilling over into the the back of their seaside showplaces

Rising sea levels and beach erosion mean the celebrities and billionaires who live along the exclusive stretch of beach are powerless to protect their guarded, gated houses from the forces of nature

As these photos powerful waves have smashed through glass panels, pulled down fences and destroyed many beach side balconies which are owned by some of the most wealthy and powerful people in the United States

Last year it was revealed that Hollywood mega-stars Steven Spielberg, Dustin Hoffman, Goldie Hawn and one-time James Bond actor, Pierce Brosnan, face losing their exclusive multi-million dollar beach-front homes along Broad Beach unless a $20 million scheme to cure the erosion of the shoreline is approved.

Homeowners along Broad Beach are struggling to see a future for their properties unless the opposition to a complicated approval process to dredge sand from elsewhere and dump it to restore the 1.1 mile beachfront is given the green light.

Waves sometimes lap up to an 8-foot-high 4,100-foot-long emergency rock wall that state regulators allowed homeowners to build about three years ago to protect dozens of multimillion-dollar homes.

In recent years, winter storms and rising high tides have reduced the size of the famously long and impressive beach and now the high tides threaten to erode the foundations of the homes along the coast - despite millions already having already been spent on a sea wall and sand bag defenses

Last year it was revealed that Hollywood mega-stars Steven Spielberg, Dustin Hoffman, Goldie Hawn and one-time James Bond actor, Pierce Brosnan, face losing their exclusive multi-million dollar beach-front homes along Broad Beach unless a $20 million scheme to cure the erosion of the shoreline is approved

Homeowners along the celebrity haven of Broad Beach are struggling to see a future for their properties unless the opposition to a complicated approval process to dredge sand from elsewhere and dump it to restore the 1.1 mile beachfront is given the green light

Steve Levitan, co-creator of the TV series 'Modern Family,' recalled taking family strolls on the beach when it was 140-foot wide, but said he now plans walks to avoid high tide

This satellite image shows the clear stretch of beach when the tide is not in with the waves battering the homes. The road has about 100 homes. One of the homes (which is twelfth from the left) was bought in 2007 for $13.8 million - it is owned by film producer Michael LaFetra. Last year Inception star Leonardo DiCaprio sold his beachfront Malibu house for $17.35 million

'The (wall) is perilously close to certain homes,' said Kenneth A. Ehrlich, an attorney for the homeowners.

'The homes are certainly in danger. ...There's no beach right now that anyone can enjoy.'

MALIBU COLONY: A MILE STRETCH OF BEACHFRONT PROPERTY For over eight decades the rich and famous have been attracted to this beachfront haven. Colonyites' (as they call themselves) have included: Leonardo DiCaprio Tom Hanks Jim Carrey Linda Ronstadt Larry Hagman Cicely Tyson Bruce Dern Mel Brooks Tatum O'Neal Sting Bill Murray Roma Downey Advertisement

Steve Levitan, co-creator of the TV series 'Modern Family,' recalled taking family strolls on the beach when it was 140-foot wide, but said he now plans walks to avoid high tide.

With the reduced footage, 'surfers can't get out to the good surf spots, and the homeowners can't get there, either,' he said.

Residents are proposing a $20 million project to dredge tons of sand and transplant it to restore the dunes and shoreline, both public and private.

Manhattan Beach blocked plans to use its sand, and residents now are considering using sea-bottom sand from Dockweiler Beach in Los Angeles.

However, the Los Angeles County Department of Beaches and Harbors has objected, saying the sand might be needed to restore other public beaches as sea levels rise.

For years, Broad Beach was the subject of feuding between homeowners and the public over access.

At one point, security guards were hired to patrol the beach, and sunbathers contended they were harassed.

In 2005, 108 property owners took tons of sand from the public beach and packed it up into a berm on their property.

The work was ordered halted by the California Coastal Commission.

When the commission permitted residents to build the $4 million wall, it ordered residents to come up with a stabilization plan that must take effect by 2015.

Homeowners said they have spent about $5 million so far for scientific studies and regulatory approvals but they have not yet completed a formal proposal for the coastal and state lands commissions.

Waves sometimes lap up to an 8-foot-high 4,100-foot-long emergency rock wall that state regulators allowed homeowners to build about three years ago to protect dozens of multimillion-dollar homes

The huge waves bring a danger that means that the back of the luxury homes are now a no-go area for the residents

Where there once was a sprawling beach, ocean waves now threaten the homes of some of the richest people in the United States

A satellite image of the beach when the waters are calm and the beach is visible. The curved house pictured is John Lautner's Stevens' House which was built in 1968

'We have faced a bureaucratic nightmare in attempting to accomplish this project,' said Marshall Grossman, a lawyer with a retreat on Broad Beach.

'One would think we were attempting to build high-rise condos on a public beach.'

Even if Broad Beach residents get their sand, such erosion-fighting measures are going to remain an issue in the future.