Outer Banks Homes Vanish into Atlantic Waves

Four unoccupied homes in Buxton, North Carolina's Outer Banks, were lost to the Atlantic Ocean this past weekend. A violent winter storm, featuring hurricane-force winds, towering surf, and rare snowfall, battered the coast and caused the dramatic collapses. One house's destruction was captured on video as waves tore through its stilts and sent it sliding into the sea.

This incident highlights the escalating problem of coastal erosion along the Outer Banks. The narrow, low-lying barrier islands have been steadily eroding for years due to rising seas. Since 2020, a stark 31 houses have collapsed into the ocean along Hatteras Island, with over a dozen of these occurring in recent months. The recent storm, a powerful nor'easter, intensified these effects.

Debris from the collapsed structures, including lumber and household waste, now litters the shoreline. Cape Hatteras National Seashore has closed the entire beach in Buxton due to the extensive debris fields and the risk to nearby properties. Officials warn that additional structures remain at risk as the barrier island continues to erode.