Buxton, NC, October 3, 2025
News Summary
An eighth house has collapsed into the ocean in Buxton, NC, following a series of home collapses caused by powerful surf conditions related to Hurricanes Humberto and Imelda. This incident is part of a troubling pattern that has seen a total of 20 homes collapse along the Outer Banks over the past five years. Fortunately, there have been no injuries reported. In response, officials have closed the beach area for public safety and cleanup efforts are being coordinated, though conditions remain hazardous.
Buxton, NC
An eighth house collapsed into the ocean in Buxton, NC on Tower Circle Road around 5 p.m. on Thursday, marking the latest incident in a series of home collapses caused by powerful ocean conditions. This event follows two earlier collapses on Wednesday and five homes that fell within just an hour on Tuesday, all of which were unoccupied at the time of their collapse.
The recent collapses have been linked to intense surf conditions resulting from Hurricanes Humberto and Imelda affecting the southeast coast. In the last five years, a total of 20 homes have collapsed along the Outer Banks, with the most recent incident occurring just two weeks after a previous collapse. Fortunately, officials from the Cape Hatteras National Seashore report that no injuries have been associated with any of the home collapses.
In response to the hazardous conditions created by the collapses, authorities have implemented a closure of the beach area from northern Buxton to off-road vehicle ramp 43 for public safety. Cleanup efforts are planned at the site of the recent collapses; however, conditions have not been deemed safe for cleanup activities to commence.
Current Conditions and Future Risks
Experts indicate that barrier islands like the Outer Banks are inherently susceptible to erosion, storms, and rising sea levels, which create vulnerabilities for coastal structures. Since 2020, a total of 19 homes have fallen on Seashore beaches, primarily centered in Rodanthe. During the time of the collapses, surf heights reached estimates of 8 to 12 feet, with dangerous surf conditions expected to endure in the coming days.
Transportation Impact
Due to ocean overwash from the storms, portions of North Carolina Highway 12 on Ocracoke Island have been closed. Furthermore, ferry services between Ocracoke and Hatteras islands have been suspended, complicating transportation in the area.
Local Community Response
Residents described their experiences of watching the collapses as both shocking and devastating. Debris including building materials has been seen washing ashore, contributing to the hazardous conditions. Dare County officials are collaborating with cleanup contractors to manage debris removal effectively, while residents are urged to avoid the impacted area. The Cape Hatteras National Seashore is actively monitoring threatened structures and advising visitors to stay clear of collapsed house sites due to the presence of hazardous debris.
Conclusion
The ongoing situation in Buxton remains precarious as experts continue to assess the impact of Hurricanes Humberto and Imelda on local coastal conditions. With the arrival of future storms, the community is urged to remain vigilant and heed safety advisories as they work to recover from this series of tragic collapses.
FAQ
How many houses have collapsed in Buxton, NC in recent years?
In total, 20 homes have collapsed along the Outer Banks within the past five years.
Were there any injuries reported from the recent collapses?
Cape Hatteras National Seashore officials confirmed there have been no injuries associated with any of the home collapses.
What caused the recent house collapses in Buxton, NC?
The recent collapses are attributed to strong surf conditions created by Hurricanes Humberto and Imelda impacting the southeast coast.
What safety precautions are being taken in Buxton?
The beach area from northern Buxton to off-road vehicle ramp 43 has been closed for public safety due to hazardous conditions resulting from the collapses.
Key Features
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Recent Collapses | Eighth house collapses occurred in Buxton, NC amid Hurricane impacts. |
| Total Collapses | 20 homes have collapsed in the Outer Banks over the last five years. |
| Injuries | No injuries reported from recent home collapses. |
| Surf Conditions | Strong surf conditions due to Hurricanes Humberto and Imelda. |
| Public Safety Measures | Beach closed from northern Buxton to off-road vehicle ramp 43. |
| Expert Insights | Outer Banks’ vulnerability to storms and erosion. |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Six Homes Collapse into Atlantic Ocean in Buxton, NC
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
High Surf Advisory Issued for Outer Banks Amid Hurricane Erin
Coastal Flood Advisory for Northern Outer Banks Amid Hurricane Erin
Hazardous Beach Conditions Alert for Outer Banks
Additional Resources
- Fox Weather
- WRAL
- CBS News
- USA Today
- WAVY
- Wikipedia: Hurricane Imelda
- Google Search: Buxton NC weather conditions
- Google Scholar: coastal erosion North Carolina
- Encyclopedia Britannica: coastal ecosystem
- Google News: Buxton NC houses 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.
