Six Homes Collapse into Atlantic Ocean in Buxton, NC

Buxton, NC, October 3, 2025

News Summary

In a tragic event on Tuesday, six unoccupied homes in Buxton, North Carolina, fell into the Atlantic Ocean as Hurricanes Humberto and Imelda lashed the coastline. The collapses prompted a safety warning from the Cape Hatteras National Seashore, which has closed the affected beachfront to the public. Experts express concern over ongoing erosion and the difficulties faced by property owners amidst increasing risk factors. Since 2020, a total of 19 homes have collapsed along Hatteras Island, raising alarms over the safety and sustainability of development in the region.

Buxton, North Carolina – Six Homes Collapse into the Atlantic Ocean Amid Hurricanes

Six unoccupied homes collapsed into the Atlantic Ocean in Buxton, North Carolina’s Outer Banks as waves from Hurricanes Humberto and Imelda impacted the region. The tragic incidents occurred on Tuesday afternoon, with five of the homes falling between 2 p.m. and 2:45 p.m. Three of these homes were located on Cottage Avenue, while the remaining two were situated on Tower Circle Road. A sixth home succumbed to the crashing waves later that same night around 11 p.m. Fortunately, no injuries were reported in the collapses.

The Cape Hatteras National Seashore has issued a warning indicating that the beachfront from northern Buxton through ramp 43 is closed for public safety. Debris littering the beach, including two-by-fours and cushions, poses additional hazards for visitors. Local authorities are particularly concerned as an expected king tide next week could lead to further home damage or destruction.

Since 2020, a total of 19 homes along Hatteras Island have collapsed, with the majority occurring in the Buxton and Rodanthe areas. Local experts assert that Buxton and Rodanthe are experiencing insufficient sand replenishment to combat the continuing shoreline erosion exacerbated by climate change. Dare County Manager Bobby Outten has noted that the county possesses limited jurisdiction over privately owned beachfront homes at risk of collapse, leaving property owners in precarious positions.

Property owners face challenges in securing insurance coverage as policies generally require structural damage to occur before claims can be filed. This stipulation often creates a reluctance to relocate vulnerable homes, further complicating the situation. Coastal flooding advisories and warnings have been issued for eastern North Carolina due to expected ocean inundation levels of 2-3 feet above ground level. In parts of Ocracoke Island, North Carolina Highway 12 is closed due to hazardous travel conditions resulting from ocean overwash.

Swells from the two hurricanes are predicted to buffet the U.S. East Coast for several days, causing dangerous surf and strong rip currents along the coast. Although the hurricanes are steering clear of making landfall, the ongoing erosion and weather patterns are reinforcing concerns among oceanographic experts that barrier islands like the Outer Banks may not be suitable for development.

Key Statistics

• Number of Homes Collapsed: 6
• Time of First Collapse: Between 2 p.m. and 2:45 p.m. on Tuesday
• Location of Homes: Cottage Avenue and Tower Circle Road in Buxton
• Total Homes Collapsed Since 2020: 19
• Expected Ocean Inundation: 2-3 feet above ground level

FAQs

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

HERE Resources

Eighth House Collapses in Buxton Amid Erosion Crisis
Hurricanes Cause Severe Damage in Buxton, NC
Houses Collapse into Ocean in Buxton, North Carolina
Buxton Homeowners Combat Oceanfront Erosion with Sandbags
Coastal Flood Advisory Issued for Northern Outer Banks
Coastal Flood Watch Issued for Northern Outer Banks
Coastal Flood Advisory for Northern Outer Banks Amid Hurricane Erin
House Collapse in Buxton Highlights Coastal Erosion Crisis
Beachfront Home in Buxton Collapses into Atlantic Ocean
Coastal Erosion Claims Another Home in Buxton

Additional Resources

• CNN: Outer Banks House Collapse
• WRAL: Outer Banks Homes Collapse
• The Inertia: Five Outer Banks Houses Collapse
• Washington Post: Outer Banks House Collapse
• Fox 2 Detroit: Homes Collapse in Outer Banks
• Wikipedia: Outer Banks
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Outer Banks
• Google Search: Outer Banks House Collapse
• Google Scholar: Outer Banks Collapse
• Google News: Outer Banks Collapse

Author: STAFF HERE OUTER BANKS WRITER

The OBX STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREOBX.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in the Outer Banks, Dare County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Outer Banks Seafood Festival, NC VIP Fishing Tournament, and NCBBA Red Drum Tournament. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Outer Banks Chamber of Commerce and Outer Banks Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in tourism, retail, and hospitality that power the local economy such as Kitty Hawk Kites, Outer Banks Mall, and Avon Fishing Pier. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAsheville.com, HERECharlotte.com, HEREGreensboro.com, and HERERaleigh.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into North Carolina's dynamic landscape.