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
1 killed after car drives through barrier onto I-55 in Romeoville, Illinois State Police says

Tragic Accident: One Fatality as Car Plummets Onto I-55 in Romeoville, Illinois

ByABC7 Chicago Digital Team Thursday, January 8, 2026 2:09PM In Romeoville, Illinois,…
New crosswalks with lights coming to 3rd Street in Jacksonville Beach

Illuminate Your Walk: New Lighted Crosswalks Set to Enhance Safety on Jacksonville Beach’s 3rd Street

JACKSONVILLE BEACH, Fla. — In a bid to enhance pedestrian safety, the…
California school's far-left gender, 'privilege' lesson in sex ed curriculum exposed

Unveiled: Controversial Gender and Privilege Lessons in California’s Sex Ed Curriculum Stir Debate

EXCLUSIVE: Fox News Digital has exclusively accessed the content of a ninth-grade…
FBI cuts Minnesota officials' access to investigation of fatal shooting by an ICE agent

FBI Restricts Minnesota Access in ICE Agent’s Fatal Shooting Probe: What You Need to Know

Following a tragic incident, an ICE agent fatally shot 37-year-old Renee Good…
Border Patrol shoot two people in Portland

Portland Incident: Border Patrol Involved in Controversial Shooting of Two Individuals

In a recent incident in Portland, Oregon, two individuals were shot by…
Dear Abby: My husband has cancer, but our children visit us too often and is making our lives stressful

Finding Balance: How Frequent Family Visits Can Impact Cancer Care at Home

DEAR ABBY: My husband is undergoing treatment for cancer, which results in…
Seattle addicts hail new mayor 'who'll let them shoot up in streets'

Seattle’s Controversial Policy: New Mayor’s Stance on Public Drug Use Sparks Debate

In Seattle, individuals grappling with drug addiction have expressed approval for the…
Allen Chiquini, found dead near Metra train tracks in Libertyville, Illinois, fell off moving train, coroner says

Tragic Incident: Allen Chiquini Confirmed to Have Fallen from Moving Train Near Libertyville – Coroner’s Report Reveals Shocking Details

LIBERTYVILLE, Ill. — In the northern suburbs, authorities have concluded that a…