Four More Homes Collapse in Outer Banks as Flood Warning Looms

UPDATE: Four more homes collapsed in the Outer Banks on Tuesday, bringing the total number of houses swept into the ocean to 14 in just four weeks. This alarming development comes as the Buxton community faces a flood warning and high surf conditions.

According to the National Park Service, the latest collapses occurred at 10:45 AM and 11 AM at properties located at 46002 Ocean Drive and 46223 Tower Circle Road. Two additional homes fell later in the afternoon, with collapses reported at 12:45 PM and 1 PM at 46003 Ocean Drive and 46016 Cottage Avenue.

The situation continues to deteriorate as officials warn that more homes could “break apart or collapse” due to strong winds and rising seas. The Cape Hatteras National Seashore has implemented beach closures due to the imminent danger posed by dozens of threatened oceanfront structures.

This crisis began on September 30, when six homes fell into the ocean in a single day, with five collapsing within a brief 45 minutes. Since then, the relentless erosion caused by severe weather events, including Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Erin, has exacerbated the situation, leading to the destruction of homes that were originally built several hundred feet from the ocean in the 1970s through 1990s.

As the Outer Banks community grapples with these devastating losses, residents are left to wonder what the future holds. The continuous wear from winds, waves, and tides, coupled with climate change, has pushed these properties dangerously close to the water’s edge.

Authorities are urging residents and visitors to remain vigilant as the weather system brings a gale warning alongside ongoing flood warnings. The potential for further collapses remains high, and officials are monitoring the situation closely.

Stay tuned for updates as this story develops, and ensure you are following safety guidelines if in the area. The community’s resilience will be tested as it faces these unprecedented challenges.