Buxton, North Carolina, October 22, 2025
News Summary
An unoccupied home in Buxton collapsed into the Atlantic Ocean on October 18, contributing to the ongoing crisis of coastal erosion in the Outer Banks. This marks the 10th home to fall into the ocean in Buxton since mid-September, with dangerous surf conditions exacerbating the situation following Hurricane Imelda. With rising sea levels prompting concerns, residents face significant property damage along with financial strain from insurance policies that require complete collapse before claims can be made. Local authorities are under pressure to address the eroding coastline.
Buxton, North Carolina – An unoccupied home collapsed into the Atlantic Ocean on Saturday, October 18, 2025, at approximately 7:45 PM. This incident occurred at 46006 Cottage Avenue, as reported by the Cape Hatteras National Seashore and the National Weather Service. The collapse is part of an ongoing crisis of coastal erosion in the Outer Banks, which has seen significant property damage in recent weeks.
This recent collapse marks the 10th home to fall into the ocean in Buxton since mid-September, contributing to a total of 11 homes lost on Hatteras Island since that period. Prior to this incident, there was a respite from collapses over a two-week stretch, despite concerns during a recent nor’easter that raised fears of further damage.
The coastal erosion problem has been exacerbated by severe surf conditions resulting from Hurricane Imelda, which has created dangerous wave heights approaching 9 feet. A high surf advisory is currently in effect for Hatteras Island, leading to ocean overwash and necessitating the closure of N.C. 12 in multiple locations. As a result, dozens of homes and septic systems in Buxton have sustained damage, and local beaches have been closed.
Drone footage of the October 18 collapse shows the waves eroding the property and harming adjacent residences. Since 2020, a total of 22 homes have collapsed along the Cape Hatteras National Seashore due to the impacts of rising sea levels and extreme weather events.
The situation is complicated for property owners, as they typically must wait for a house to collapse before they can claim insurance payouts, adding financial strain to those affected. The ongoing trend of collapses has raised alarms within the National Park Service regarding beach safety and erosion hotspots’ management.
Residents have been seen trying to salvage belongings from homes in danger of succumbing to the ocean. The combination of high surf conditions and coastal erosion at the Outer Banks has ignited discussions surrounding the implications of climate change on coastal development.
Context of Coastal Erosion
Coastal erosion remains a significant issue along the Outer Banks of North Carolina due to rising sea levels and increasingly severe weather patterns. The geological and environmental factors contributing to this phenomenon pose threats not only to residential properties but also to the local ecosystems and tourism economy.
Summary of Incidents
- Unoccupied home collapse on October 18, 2025.
- 10 homes collapsed in Buxton since mid-September; 11 total on Hatteras Island.
- Waves reaching heights of 9 feet due to Hurricane Imelda.
- Dozens of local homes and septic systems impacted, along with beach closures.
- 22 homes have collapsed along Cape Hatteras National Seashore from 2020 to 2025.
Future Implications
The issues faced by Buxton and the wider Outer Banks region highlight the need for sustainable coastal development and comprehensive disaster planning in light of climate change. The combination of urgent property damage and long-term environmental concerns necessitates coordinated responses from local authorities and communities alike.
FAQ Section
- What happened in Buxton, North Carolina, on October 18, 2025?
- An unoccupied home collapsed into the Atlantic Ocean at approximately 7:45 PM.
- Where did the collapse occur?
- 46006 Cottage Avenue in Buxton, North Carolina.
- How many homes have collapsed in Buxton since mid-September 2025?
- 10 homes have collapsed in Buxton since mid-September, with a total of 11 on Hatteras Island.
- What factors contributed to the recent collapses?
- Dangerous surf conditions influenced by Hurricane Imelda and a current high surf advisory for Hatteras Island.
- How high have the waves reached during this crisis?
- Waves have reached heights of up to 9 feet.
- What has been the impact of the erosion crisis on local homes?
- Dozens of homes and septic systems in Buxton have been damaged, resulting in beach closures.
- When did the trend of home collapses begin along the Cape Hatteras National Seashore?
- Between 2020 and 2025, 22 homes have collapsed due to coastal erosion influenced by rising seas and severe weather.
Key Features Overview
| Key Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Date of Collapse | October 18, 2025 |
| Location | 46006 Cottage Avenue, Buxton, North Carolina |
| Total Homes Lost in Buxton | 10 since mid-September |
| Total Homes Lost on Hatteras Island | 11 |
| Wave Height | Up to 9 feet |
| Total Homes Collapsed (2020-2025) | 22 |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
North Carolina Attracts Millions of Visitors
Buxton Residents Voice Concerns Over Coastal Erosion
Tenth Home Collapses into Ocean in Buxton, NC
Oceanfront Homes Continue to Collapse in Buxton, NC
Severe Coastal Erosion Causes Home Collapses in Buxton
Nor’easter Causes Coastal Flooding and Home Threats in Outer Banks
Record House Collapses Along North Carolina’s Outer Banks
Homes in Buxton, NC Collapse Amidst Hurricane Swells
Buxton, North Carolina Faces Multiple Home Collapses
Buxton, N.C. Home Collapse Highlights Erosion Crisis
Additional Resources
- Fox Weather: 11th Home Collapses in North Carolina Outer Banks
- Wikipedia: Coastal Erosion
- The Weather Channel: 11th Home Collapses in North Carolina Outer Banks
- Google Search: North Carolina Coastal Erosion
- WRAL: Another Home Collapses in Buxton
- Google Scholar: Coastal Erosion North Carolina
- CBS 17: Outer Banks Home Collapses into Ocean in Buxton
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Coastal Erosion
- News & Observer: Coastal Erosion in North Carolina
- Google News: North Carolina Home Collapses
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.
