A home has reportedly collapsed into the ocean in Rodanthe, North Carolina, due to rough seas stemming from Hurricane Ernesto. Images and videos shared by Chicamacomico Banks Fire & Rescue capture the dramatic scene, showcasing debris scattered across the beach and an entire house caught in the surf.
Emergency responders have urged the public to avoid the ocean area due to the potential hazards posed by floating debris in the coming days. The incident occurred on Corbina Drive, where the trend of homes collapsing into the ocean has become increasingly common in the Outer Banks. In the last four years alone, six homes in Rodanthe have succumbed to similar fates.
The collapse of these homes presents significant challenges not only for residents but also for the local environment. In response, the Superintendent of the National Park Service for Cape Hatteras has initiated a pilot program aimed at purchasing vulnerable properties to have them demolished and the beach restored.
David Hullac from the U.S. National Park Service explained, “We had to have willing sellers; houses that were essentially in the ocean at high tide every day. We found the funds to buy those properties, remove the houses completely, and restore the beach. If you visited that location now, you would see a beautiful beach.”
To date, the program has successfully acquired two homes, and officials are advocating for additional state funding to expand this initiative.