Coastal Erosion Crisis Strikes Buxton, North Carolina

Buxton, North Carolina, October 6, 2025

News Summary

Buxton, North Carolina is experiencing a severe coastal erosion crisis with nine homes collapsing into the Atlantic Ocean. At least a dozen more homes are at risk due to relentless waves. Local leaders are urging temporary protective measures and seeking state and federal support. A beach nourishment project and jetty repairs are planned but won’t be completed until 2026. Cleanup efforts are underway to remove hazardous debris from the coastline, as residents face increasing threats to their homes from ongoing erosion and rising sea levels.

Buxton, North Carolina is facing a severe coastal erosion crisis as nine homes have collapsed into the Atlantic Ocean. The relentless battering from ocean waves has left at least a dozen additional homes at risk of similar fates. This ongoing situation is causing significant concern among local residents and civic leaders.

Brett Barley, a longtime local and member of the Buxton Civic Association, emphasized the worrying trend of continual erosion and home loss. The Atlantic Ocean’s current impact on the Buxton oceanfront has raised alarm, with the situation appearing increasingly dire. In response to the threat, Dare County Board of Commissioners chairman Bob Woodard has urged residents to engage in temporary protective measures such as sandbagging and pushing beach sands around their homes.

While a beach nourishment project is underway, and repairs to jetties are planned, neither initiative is expected to be completed before 2026. This has drawn attention from local leaders who are pressing for additional support from both state and federal resources. A key request includes the repeal of North Carolina’s no-hardened structures law to allow for stronger defenses against coastal erosion.

In the wake of the recent collapses, Congressman Greg Murphy is evaluating the situation to determine if it qualifies for a state of emergency declaration. Emergency cleanup efforts have commenced, involving teams from the Cape Hatteras National Seashore and local volunteers. These efforts aim to remove hazardous debris from the collapsed homes that now litter the area’s beaches, posing safety risks to residents and visitors alike.

The cleanup process could take several days or even weeks, according to the National Park Service. Since 2020, the area has lost a total of 21 homes due to similar erosion-related incidents. Recent hurricanes, especially Imelda and Humberto, have aggravated coastal conditions, exacerbating the risk to remaining beachfront properties. Current erosion rates in Buxton indicate a loss of approximately 15 feet of shoreline per year, making the problem all the more pressing.

Given the ongoing threats posed by erosion and rising sea levels, residents face an uncertain future regarding the safety of their homes. Public access to certain beaches has also been limited due to safety concerns over potential further collapses.

Summary of Current Situation

• Collapsed homes: Nine homes in Buxton and one in Rodanthe.
• Total homes lost: 21 homes in the area since 2020.
• Ongoing threats: At least a dozen more homes at risk due to erosion.
• Current erosion rate: Approximately 15 feet of shoreline lost per year.
• Cleanup duration: Could take days or weeks.

Future Measures

The implementation of the beach nourishment project and repairs to jetties are anticipated to bring some relief to affected homeowners, but significant uncertainty remains until these measures are completed. The community continues to seek immediate and long-term solutions to protect their homes and livelihoods from the escalating threats of coastal erosion.

FAQ

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

HERE Resources

Hurricane Waves Cause Home Collapses in Buxton, NC
Homes Along Buxton Shoreline Collapse into Atlantic Ocean
Buxton, North Carolina: Eight Homes Collapse into the Ocean
Buxton, North Carolina Faces Beachfront Home Collapse Crisis
Coastal Erosion Claims Homes in North Carolina’s Outer Banks
Severe Erosion Leads to Vacation Home Collapses in Outer Banks
Beach Houses Collapsing Along North Carolina’s Outer Banks
First Home Collapse of 2025 Occurs in Rodanthe, N.C.
Disaster Strikes as Oceanfront Homes Collapse on Outer Banks
Eight Homes Collapse in Buxton, North Carolina Due to Erosion

Additional Resources

• Fox Weather: Photos of Debris in Outer Banks, NC
• 12 On Your Side: Several Outer Banks Houses Collapse
• AccuWeather: 9 Homes Collapsed Into the Surf
• News Observer: Outer Banks Home Collapses
• Wikipedia: Coastal Erosion

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.