Buxton, North Carolina, October 8, 2025
News Summary
Residents of Buxton, North Carolina, are in a dire situation as severe coastal erosion has led to the collapse of homes into the Atlantic Ocean. Since September 30, nine houses have succumbed to aggressive tides, prompting urgent recovery efforts from locals. Volunteers have traveled great distances to assist in salvaging personal belongings from the wreckage. Local officials are calling for federal support to address the ongoing erosion crisis, which threatens the remaining properties in the area and highlights the urgent need for protective measures.
Buxton, North Carolina residents are currently facing a crisis as they attempt to salvage belongings from homes that are collapsing into the Atlantic Ocean due to severe coastal erosion. Since September 30, a total of nine houses have fallen victim to the aggressive tides, leading to urgent efforts by local residents to recover personal items from the wreckage.
On-site reports indicate that community members are using ladders to retrieve furniture and other important belongings from compromised properties. Volunteers like Nate Bopp and Thomas Payette have traveled from Virginia to assist in salvaging items from a friend’s home that has suffered significant damage. Bopp emphasized the importance of saving personal memorabilia such as photographs and photo albums for families affected by the recent collapses.
These devastating incidents have left properties in Buxton sitting directly on the shoreline without any natural barriers for protection, greatly increasing their vulnerability to oceanic forces. Bopp shared his concern that the ongoing high tides and strong surf are likely to lead to the complete destruction of even more homes in the vicinity.
Details of Recent Erosion and Damage
In addition to the recent collapses, another house has been reported to have fallen, increasing the total number from the last few weeks to seven. High tides, exacerbated by a supermoon and king tides expected to peak soon, have put additional pressure on any remaining structures. The neighborhoods in Buxton have already experienced significant destruction from the impact of Hurricanes Imelda and Humberto, which have contributed to the ongoing erosion crisis.
The Buxton Civic Association has been vocal about the need for action, raising alerts about the dire situation for more than a year. Local officials have visited the area to see the destruction firsthand and discuss potential cleanup plans with homeowners. The Dare County government is actively encouraging residents to work with contractors to remove debris from collapsed homes.
Looking ahead, future intervention measures such as beach nourishment and repairs to jetty structures have been planned but are not expected to take place until 2026. Since 2020, a total of 19 homes have been lost to the ocean on Hatteras Island, with 11 in Rodanthe and seven in Buxton specifically impacted by coastal erosion. The community has repeatedly faced challenges from hurricanes and erosion, leading to a pattern of home collapses over the years.
Call for Federal Support
Local officials recognize the urgent need for federal involvement to address the ongoing crisis concerning coastal erosion and the destruction of homes. The community is hopeful for a reduction in bureaucratic obstacles, which would allow them to implement necessary protective measures more quickly. The residents express an overwhelming desire for action to secure their homes and protect the waterfront properties that have been cherished by many for generations.
Impact Overview
| Statistic | Count |
|---|---|
| Total homes fallen into the ocean since September 30 | 9 |
| Total homes lost on Hatteras Island since 2020 | 19 |
| Homes lost in Rodanthe | 11 |
| Homes lost in Buxton | 7 |
FAQ
What is causing the homes in Buxton to collapse?
The homes in Buxton are collapsing due to severe coastal erosion and high tides, exacerbated by the impacts of recent hurricanes.
How many homes have fallen into the ocean in Buxton since September 30?
Since September 30, nine houses in Buxton have fallen into the Atlantic Ocean due to severe erosion and high tides.
What measures are being planned to address the erosion issue?
Future measures, such as beach nourishment and repairs to jetty structures, are planned but not scheduled until 2026.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Coastal Flooding Threatens Southeast and Mid-Atlantic Regions
Severe Coastal Erosion Causes Home Collapses in Buxton, N.C.
North Carolina’s Outer Banks Faces Coastal Flooding Threat from King Tides
Tropical Storm Jerry Strengthens in the Atlantic
Nine Homes Collapsed in North Carolina’s Outer Banks Due to Hurricanes
Buxton, North Carolina Faces Catastrophic Home Collapses Due to Coastal Erosion
Dangerous Rip Currents Warning Issued for Outer Banks
Nine Homes Collapse into Atlantic Ocean in Buxton, NC
Ninth House Collapses in Rodanthe Amid Coastal Erosion Concerns
Eight Beachfront Homes Collapse in Buxton, North Carolina
Additional Resources
- Fox Weather: Buxton Rescue
- Wikipedia: Coastal Erosion
- CBS 17: Oceanfront House Collapse
- Google Search: Buxton North Carolina coastal erosion
- WTKR: Dare County Leaders Assess Buxton Damage
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Hurricane
- 12 On Your Side: Outer Banks Houses Collapse
- Google News: Buxton North Carolina 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.
