Small beach town's misery as ocean swallows 7th home in two days
Share and Follow

Another home collapsed into the Atlantic on Wednesday night.

It brings the total to seven beachfront houses lost in just two days on Hatteras Islands in the Outer Banks. 

The 2,188-square-foot residence located at 46207 Tower Circle Road in Buxton, North Carolina collapsed on Wednesday at 8 PM, approximately five hours after the high tide passed. The event was initially reported by the Island Free Press.

More homes nearby are at risk and are expected to topple into the sea on Thursday and Friday.  

A day earlier, six additional oceanfront homes were swept away into the sea as turbulent waters from offshore hurricanes battered the Outer Banks of North Carolina during high tide.

Situated on stilts in Buxton on Hatteras Island, the homes collapsed sequentially as waves measuring six to twelve feet from Hurricanes Humberto and Imelda struck the coastline.

Five fell in under an hour just after 2pm and a sixth toppled just before midnight, locals said. They were condemned back in 2023, and though once valued at around $400,000 each, the homes had lost all their worth by the time they toppled.

The destruction brings the total number of Hatteras Island homes lost to the sea to 19 since 2020.

The home collapsed in the Outer Banks on Wednesday night, bringing the total to seven homes falling into the sea in just two days

The home collapsed in the Outer Banks on Wednesday night, bringing the total to seven homes falling into the sea in just two days

The destruction brings the total number of Hatteras Island homes lost to the sea to 19 since 2020 and more are expected to fall

The destruction brings the total number of Hatteras Island homes lost to the sea to 19 since 2020 and more are expected to fall

Resident Heather Jennette said: 'We've known this would happen.'

Resident Heather Jennette said: ‘We’ve known this would happen.’

Houses lost to the sea

46203 Tower Circle Road

46001 Cottage Avenue

46002 Cottage Avenue

46007 Cottage Avenue

46209 Tower Circle Road

46211 Tower Circle Road

46207 Tower Circle Road 

 ‘It’s awful,’ Buxton Civic Association’s Heather Jennette told the Daily Mail.

‘It’s very sad. What’s more sad is that North Carolina is the only state with laws restricting the ability to try and help strengthen our coast.

‘We have known this would happen without increased stabilization.

‘We were all hoping we might get through this fall and winter, as there is a plan in place for repair of one jetty out of three and another round of beach nourishment.

The beach in Buxton remains closed to the public due to piles of hazardous debris, including wood, nails and glass along the shoreline. 

Dare County announced that its debris removal contractor will evaluate the area once conditions improve. 

The seven collapses bring the total number of oceanfront homes losses to eight within the past two weeks. 

In total, there have been 19 oceanfront home collapses on Hatteras Island since 2020. 

Nearby homes are also expected to completely crumble into the Atlantic, as the barrier island they sit on is eroding

Nearby homes are also expected to completely crumble into the Atlantic, as the barrier island they sit on is eroding

Locals were warned to stay away from the area. Both the ocean and the shore was filled with two-by-fours, crumbling walls and glass as the waves rolled in

Locals were warned to stay away from the area. Both the ocean and the shore was filled with two-by-fours, crumbling walls and glass as the waves rolled in

The homes are located in Buxton, a community on the string of islands that make up the Outer Banks in North Carolina, an area made famous by Outer Banks show on Netflix

The homes are located in Buxton, a community on the string of islands that make up the Outer Banks in North Carolina, an area made famous by Outer Banks show on Netflix

The Cape Hatteras National Seashore says the unoccupied homes collapsed between 2pm and 2.45pm and there are no reported injuries at this time

The Cape Hatteras National Seashore says the unoccupied homes collapsed between 2pm and 2.45pm and there are no reported injuries at this time

The latest disaster brings the total of fallen Hatteras Island homes to 17 since 2020 and locals are worried there's more to come

The latest disaster brings the total of fallen Hatteras Island homes to 17 since 2020 and locals are worried there’s more to come

The unoccupied houses along the coast were propped on stilts, which began buckling at 2pm ET and they eventually toppled not long after

The unoccupied houses along the coast were propped on stilts, which began buckling at 2pm ET and they eventually toppled not long after

No injuries were reported, and no one was living in the homes, the Cape Hatteras National Seashore said in a post on social media.

Locals were warned to stay away from the area. 

‘We’re going to need some help when it’s over,’ Jennette said.

The Outer Banks became famous as a result of the hit Netflix show named after it.

The area juts farther into the ocean than any other part of the Tar Heel State, making it especially vulnerable to the sea.

Experts say it is no surprise that these homes are on the edge of collapse.

While the homes were built about 50 to 60 years ago 200 feet from the sea, the beaches have been eroded by storms. 

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
Father and son received miitary-style training before Bondi massacre

Father and Son Underwent Intense Training Prior to Bondi Tragedy

A high-ranking counter-terrorism official has disclosed that Sajid and Naveed Akram received…
Obamas were set to meet Rob Reiner and his wife before their murder

Obamas Scheduled to Meet with Rob Reiner and His Wife Prior to Tragic Incident

Barack and Michelle Obama were scheduled to meet with director Rob Reiner…
Final pennies to ever be minted in the US sell for $16.7m at auction

Historic Final Batch of US Pennies Fetches $16.7 Million at Auction

The last batch of pennies ever minted in the United States has…
James Woods warns Gavin Newsom's 'atrocious' record will eventually tank his presidential appeal

James Woods Criticizes Gavin Newsom’s Record, Predicts It Will Undermine Future Presidential Ambitions

Renowned actor James Woods recently voiced concerns over Governor Gavin Newsom’s expanding…
Trump-style law-and-order conservative clinches Chile’s presidency as violent crime crisis reshapes nation

Chile Elects Trump-Style Leader Amid Surging Violent Crime Crisis: A New Era of Law and Order

In a groundbreaking political shift, Chile elected José Antonio Kast, a staunchly…
Police: Bondi Beach shooting suspects had bombs, ISIS flags and recently traveled to Philippines

Authorities Report: Bondi Beach Shooting Suspects Found with Explosives, ISIS Flags, and Recent Travel History to Philippines

On Tuesday, Australian officials revealed that a father and son duo, responsible…
FILE - White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles listens during a cabinet meeting at the White House, April 30, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File)

White House Chief Susie Wiles Takes Aim at Bondi and Shares Candid Thoughts on Trump in Vanity Fair Exclusive

WASHINGTON (AP) — In a recent Vanity Fair feature, Susie Wiles, the…
Chiefs announce major Mahomes injury update after ACL tear

Patrick Mahomes Injury Update: Chiefs Confirm ACL Tear Status and Recovery Plan

Patrick Mahomes, the quarterback for the Chiefs, recently had surgery following an…