Following the collapse of an unoccupied beach house on Friday evening, officials from Cape Hatteras National Seashore and Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge are urging visitors to stay away from the beaches and refrain from entering the water in Rodanthe.
All public access from the northern boundary of Rodanthe to the northern end of the Jug Handle Bridge has been closed. Several other homes in the Rodanthe area have also reported damages. Visitors should be cautious, as dangerous debris could be present on the beach and in the water over a distance of more than twelve miles.
Current conditions suggest that debris from homes is being rapidly moved northward by prevailing currents. However, changes in wave swell and wind direction in the coming days could pose safety risks in the surrounding communities of Waves and Salvo.
The National Seashore is in contact with the property owner regarding the situation. As of now, a debris removal contractor has not yet been hired. If no other solutions are implemented for debris removal, National Park Service personnel may step in to manage the cleanup. Significant efforts to clear debris are not anticipated until sea conditions return to normal early next week.
The recent collapse at 23214 Corbina Drive marks the seventh house collapse on Seashore beaches over the past four years, with no reported injuries linked to these incidents. For further information on threatened oceanfront structures along the Seashore, visitors can refer to the National Park Service website.