Nine Homes Collapse into Atlantic as Hatteras Island Erosion Worsens
Nine homes on Hatteras Island have collapsed into the Atlantic Ocean due to severe coastal erosion. The incident, which occurred in Buxton and Rodanthe, has left a significant amount of debris along the coastal area and posed hazardous conditions. This latest incident follows a series of home collapses in the area since 2020, with 21 homes having fallen victim to erosion.
The National Weather Service has issued a beach hazard statement for the coastal area due to strong rip currents and large breaking waves. This comes in the wake of two recent hurricanes, Imelda and Humberto, which passed offshore last week, exacerbating coastal conditions in Dare County. The county government is planning the cleanup of debris, with homeowners hiring local contractors to move debris to designated areas. Dare County's debris removal contractor has been appointed to clear the debris from the destroyed houses in Buxton. The coastal area is losing about 15 feet of shoreline each year due to coastal erosion, highlighting the urgent need for coastal protection measures.
Anyone not involved in the cleanup or a homeowner/renter in the affected coastal areas is asked to stay away from the scene. The cleanup operation is expected to take some time, with homeowners and local authorities working together to restore the coastal area to safety.
