Buxton, North Carolina, September 25, 2025
News Summary
In Buxton, North Carolina, a two-story beachfront stilt home collapsed, becoming the 12th house to fall victim to coastal erosion in the Outer Banks over the last five years. Occupied at the time of the collapse, the structure left debris scattered on the beach. Cleanup efforts are underway by the Cape Hatteras National Seashore, with warnings issued for beachgoers to avoid the area due to hazardous materials. The event underscores an alarming trend of increasing erosion risks affecting homes along the coast.
Buxton, North Carolina experienced the collapse of a two-story beachfront stilt home on Tuesday afternoon, marking a significant event in the ongoing struggle against coastal erosion in the region. The house, located at 46227 Tower Circle Road, was unoccupied at the time of the incident and fell into the surf, becoming the 12th home to collapse along the Outer Banks in the past five years due to escalating erosion issues.
The recently collapsed home, made of wood shingles, left behind debris scattered across the beach, including nail-studded materials. In response to the collapse, the Cape Hatteras National Seashore has commenced cleanup operations to mitigate any hazards for beachgoers. The owner of the collapsed structure has engaged a contractor to remove any remaining debris associated with the incident.
This collapse follows a trend of significant erosion in the Outer Banks, where the previous 11 home collapses since May 2020 have predominantly occurred in the village of Rodanthe, a location made famous by novels written by Nicholas Sparks. Although some homes in Rodanthe were monitored during Hurricane Erin, they managed to withstand the storm’s impact. However, the coastal landscape continues to change as a result of erosion, posing a threat to numerous structures.
Current Risk and Safety Advisories
The collapsed home was located less than a mile away from the iconic Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, which was relocated inland in 1999 to safeguard it from the advancing coast. According to reports, approximately 40 oceanfront structures are currently at risk due to ongoing erosion, with four to five of these homes identified as being in immediate danger of collapse.
The Dare County Planning Director, Noah Gillman, has noted a marked increase in erosion severity over recent years, leading to several other beach structures, including septic systems, being declared unoccupiable after damages from Hurricane Erin. Residents and visitors in the vicinity of the collapse are advised to steer clear of the beach and refrain from entering the water due to the hazardous debris remaining from the incident.
Officials have enacted a beach safety closure in Buxton, which may potentially be expanded as assessments of the debris continue. Additional safety warnings have been issued for the north end of Rodanthe, emphasizing the need for caution due to the presence of threatened oceanfront properties.
Understanding Coastal Erosion
Experts express that coastal erosion is significantly impacted by climate change, contributing to the instability of homes in the area. Although beach nourishment projects represent a temporary and costly solution, discussions surrounding alternative measures such as hardened shorelines or jetties have been deemed impractical for North Carolina by coastal management specialists.
Past occurrences of home collapses have resulted in debris remaining along the shoreline, introducing risks to both beach access and local wildlife habitats. The ongoing trend of increasing erosion underscores the urgent need for effective solutions to preserve coastal communities.
Key Facts about the Buxton Collapse
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | 46227 Tower Circle Road, Buxton, North Carolina |
| Type of Home | Two-story beachfront stilt home |
| Occupancy Status | Unoccupied at the time of collapse |
| Number of Home Collapses (Past 5 Years) | 12 |
| Current Threatened Structures | Approximately 40 |
| Immediate Risk Structures | 4 to 5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened in Buxton, North Carolina?
A beachfront stilt home collapsed into the surf on Tuesday afternoon.
What is the address of the collapsed home?
The home was located at 46227 Tower Circle Road.
Was the house occupied when it collapsed?
The home was unoccupied at the time of the collapse.
How many homes have collapsed along the Outer Banks due to erosion?
This incident marks the 12th home to collapse along the Outer Banks in the past five years.
What are officials doing about the debris?
Seashore staff are cleaning up debris from the collapse site, and the homeowner has hired a contractor for removal of remaining structures.
What are the risks associated with the collapse area?
Residents and visitors are advised to avoid the beach and stay out of the water near the collapse area due to dangerous debris.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
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Coastal Hazards Advisory for North Carolina Amid Rising Rip Current Risks
Rip Current Warning Issued for North Carolina’s Outer Banks
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Beachfront House Collapses into Atlantic Ocean in Buxton
Beachfront Home Collapses into Atlantic Ocean in Buxton
Home Collapses into the Atlantic in Buxton
Buxton, North Carolina: Another Beachfront Home Collapses Due to Erosion
Beach House Collapse in Buxton Highlights Erosion Risk
House in Outer Banks Falls into Ocean Amid Coastal Erosion Concerns
Additional Resources
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.
