In a stunning display of nature’s force, five unoccupied homes in the Outer Banks collapsed into the Atlantic Ocean on Tuesday afternoon as powerful swells from two offshore hurricanes battered North Carolina’s coast.
According to officials with Cape Hatteras National Seashore, the houses began collapsing just after 2 p.m. in Buxton and continued falling into the sea over a 45-minute span.
The homes—located at 46001, 46002, and 46007 Cottage Avenue and 46209 and 46211 Tower Circle Road—were all unoccupied at the time. No injuries have been reported.
National Park Service crews responded quickly, closing the entire beachfront from northern Buxton through off-road vehicle (ORV) ramp 43 for public safety. Visitors were urged to avoid the area and use extreme caution even miles south of the collapse zone due to potentially hazardous debris.
“This is an ongoing incident,” the Seashore stated, warning that further collapses are possible as rough surf and elevated tides continue over the next 24 hours.
The destruction is the latest in a series of collapses along North Carolina’s fragile coastline, where rising sea levels and intensified storm activity have accelerated erosion. While some of these oceanfront homes have stood for decades, the continued encroachment of the ocean has made them increasingly vulnerable.
Officials reminded the public that ORV drivers using ramp 38 should avoid traveling south, and those using ramp 43 should avoid heading north. Hazardous debris may remain hidden beneath the surface or wash up along nearby beaches.
Updates on any additional collapses or emergency advisories will be posted at nps.gov.
