8 homes collapsed into the surf this week on North Carolina's Outer Banks
In rough surf from dual hurricanes off the Southeast coast, 8 vacation homes fell into the ocean on North Carolina's Outer Banks.
After a week full of waves demolishing homes in Buxton, North Carolina, an eighth house fell on Oct. 2, even under clear blue skies.
During high waves from hurricanes Imelda and Humberto midweek, eight vacation homes fell into the ocean near Buxton, North Carolina Outer Banks. The region is prone to severe erosion and has had 20 homes collapse since 2020.
Friday, the Cape Hatteras National Seashore deployed two dozen of their staff to clean up debris from the homes near Buxton. Further collapses, they warned, are possible, so visitors should stay out of the water.
The CHNS confirmed the collapses on their website, saying that five homes Tuesday collapsed between 2 p.m. and 2:45 p.m., followed by another after dark. Two more homes followed late in the afternoon on Wednesday and Thursday.
Map showing locations of 19 homes that have collapsed (red X) plus 2 that were demolished (purple X) at the North Carolina Outer Banks 2020-2025. The purple icons indicate homes that were demolished while still standing. The larger red icons indicate homes that collapsed on Sept. 30 - Oct. 1, 2025. (AccuWeather)
A total of 20 homes on Hatteras Island have now fallen into the ocean since 2020, not including 2 that were threatened by the surf but were demolished. Prior to Tuesday, the last time a home crumbled into the ocean on the Outer Banks was just two weeks ago on Sept. 17.
Jenni Koontz recorded drone footage as waves generated by Hurricanes Humberto and Imelda destroyed several houses in Buxton, North Carolina, on Sept. 30.
The Outer Banks of North Carolina, a thin line of islands representing the easternmost part of the state, is hit by multiple nor'easters and hurricanes every year, leading to oceanfront homes collapsing into the sea and inundating Highway 12, which runs along the islands.
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