Buxton, N.C., October 19, 2025

News Summary

An oceanfront home in Buxton, N.C. collapsed, marking the eleventh home to fall since September amid serious erosion concerns. While no injuries were reported, officials are increasingly worried about future collapses. The region has experienced a total of 22 oceanfront home collapses since 2020, driven mainly by dangerous surf conditions exacerbated by Hurricane Imelda. Residents are advised to stay clear of affected areas as the situation poses significant risks to coastal properties.

Buxton, N.C. Home Collapse Marks Eleventh House to Fall Since September Amid Erosion Concerns

An oceanfront home in Buxton, N.C. collapsed at around 7:45 p.m. on a Saturday night, marking the eleventh home to fall in the village since mid-September, according to Cape Hatteras National Seashore. The collapsed home was located at 46006 Cottage Avenue and was built in 1956, according to Dare County tax records. Fortunately, the house was unoccupied at the time of the collapse, and no injuries were reported.

Officials are expressing growing concern that additional collapses are possible in both Buxton and Rodanthe, as the area is facing significant erosion issues. Beachgoers have been advised to stay away from the collapse site and the nearby shoreline due to the presence of dangerous debris. The situation highlights the ongoing risks associated with coastal erosion in the region.

Since 2020, a total of 22 oceanfront homes have collapsed along Hatteras Island, underscoring the severity of the erosion problem. Among these, six homes in Rodanthe fell in 2024 alone. Earlier this month, nine other homes in Buxton also collapsed, largely attributed to dangerous surf conditions caused by Hurricane Imelda, which increased the vulnerability of existing structures.

Later that same Saturday night, another unoccupied house collapsed at 46203 Tower Circle Road in Buxton at approximately 11 p.m. This incident further illustrates the precarious state of the region’s coastal properties. The Cape Hatteras National Seashore had issued a public safety alert earlier in the week, urging residents and visitors to avoid beaches and areas known for erosion due to flooding caused by overwash.

While the immediate risks are apparent, it remains unclear if anyone was inside the homes at the time of the recent collapses despite their unoccupied status. The repeated incidents serve as a stark reminder of the environmental challenges faced by coastal communities like Buxton.

Impact of Erosion in Buxton

The growing trend of home collapses along Hatteras Island raises concerns about property safety and the long-term viability of beachfront living. As erosion continues to threaten coastal homes, residents may need to rethink their living situations and local officials may be prompted to take more substantial action to protect the area from further disaster.

Summary of Recent Collapses on Hatteras Island

• 11 homes have collapsed in Buxton since mid-September.
• A total of 22 oceanfront homes have collapsed along Hatteras Island since 2020.
• 6 homes in Rodanthe collapsed in 2024.
• Earlier in October, 9 homes in Buxton fell due to Hurricane Imelda.

Safety Advisories

As the situation develops, further advisories and safety measures will likely be necessary. Coastal regions such as Buxton face escalating challenges, prompting both residents and officials to consider how best to tackle these issues moving forward.

FAQ

Key Features of House Collapses in Buxton

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

HERE Resources

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Record Fish Caught in North Carolina
Coastal Erosion Claims Nine Homes Along Outer Banks
Buxton Homes Collapse Due to Coastal Erosion Crisis
Concerns Rise Over Sexual Assault Reports at ECU
Coastal Flood Advisories for Northern Outer Banks
NC12 Reopens but Ocracoke Island Remains Closed
Tragic Collapse of Homes in Buxton, NC Amid Hurricane Fears
Tragedy Strikes: Ninth Home Collapses in Rodanthe, N.C.
Beach Emergency in Cape Hatteras: Homes Collapsing Into the Ocean

Additional Resources

• WAVY: Unoccupied House Collapses in Buxton
• WITN: Another Buxton Beach Home Collapses
• 13 News Now: Unoccupied Home Collapses in Buxton
• WRAL: Buxton Home Collapse
• CBS 17: Outer Banks Home Collapses into Ocean
• Wikipedia: Coastal Erosion
• Google Search: Coastal Erosion Effects
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Erosion
• NC Rabbit Hole: Why Are So Many Outer Banks Houses Collapsing?
• WTKR: Memories Lost When Buxton’s House Fell

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.