Buxton, North Carolina, October 6, 2025
News Summary
Recent hurricanes Imelda and Humberto have led to the collapse of numerous homes along North Carolina’s Outer Banks, particularly in Buxton, where eight structures fell into the ocean in just three days. Coastal erosion, exacerbated by massive waves, threatens more properties, while local officials seek solutions amid funding challenges for beach renourishment projects. The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s policies complicate recovery efforts, prompting legislative action to aid affected homeowners. As the community confronts these hazards, safety and future development strategies remain pressing concerns.
Buxton, North Carolina
Numerous homes along North Carolina’s Outer Banks have collapsed into the Atlantic Ocean recently due to massive waves from hurricanes Imelda and Humberto. The coastal erosion caused by these storms has seriously affected the stability of homes, with a total of nine structures on Hatteras Island succumbing to the surf. Of these, eight collapses occurred in Buxton over just three days, with a ninth home falling in Rodanthe, approximately 25 miles north of Buxton.
The National Weather Service has issued a beach hazard statement for Hatteras Island, Ocracoke Island, and Core Banks beaches as rough conditions persist, including rip currents and large breaking waves. The debris from these collapsed homes has created hazardous conditions on the shore, as efforts are underway to clear the area. As the rough surf continues to threaten more properties in Dare County, safety is a growing concern for residents and officials alike.
Coastal studies expert Siddharth Narayan, an assistant professor at East Carolina University, has discussed potential strategies for local communities to manage development as the coastline changes. This issue has been compounded by the fact that the Outer Banks region loses approximately 15 feet of shoreline each year due to ongoing erosion.
Since 2020, a total of 21 privately owned beach homes have collapsed on the Cape Hatteras National Seashore, with nine of those incidents occurring since mid-September 2025. The most recent significant collapse was on September 17, 2025, in Buxton. The two hurricanes earlier this month are estimated to have generated waves between 8 to 12 feet high, contributing to the damaging erosion and home collapses.
Under current policies, the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s National Flood Insurance Program does not cover the costs associated with relocating or removing homes prior to their collapse into the ocean. This limitation complicates the recovery efforts for affected homeowners. In response, Representative Greg Murphy has introduced the Preventing Environmental Hazards Act, which aims to allow upfront insurance payouts for homeowners facing erosion threats.
Furthermore, Dare County has struggled to secure sufficient funding for beach renourishment projects—vital interventions aimed at combating erosion. These projects are estimated to cost around $10 million per mile, and the county’s low population and tax base has added to the challenge. The community is actively seeking alternative funding sources for these beach nourishment projects after being denied a FEMA grant.
Key Points
- Nine homes have collapsed into the ocean due to massive waves from hurricanes Imelda and Humberto.
- Eight of the collapses occurred in Buxton over three days.
- A total of 21 homes have collapsed on the Cape Hatteras National Seashore since 2020.
- The Outer Banks loses approximately 15 feet of shoreline each year.
- Current policies complicate recovery efforts as they do not cover costs for relocating homes.
Conclusion
As the Outer Banks deals with the aftermath of these devastating events, community leaders and experts are looking at potential improvements in policy and funding options for coastal protection. Given the ongoing threats posed by nature and the lack of adequate protections, the future of the homes and environment in this area remains uncertain.
FAQ
How many homes have collapsed due to hurricanes Imelda and Humberto?
Nine homes on Hatteras Island fell into the surf due to the large waves, with eight collapses occurring in Buxton over three days.
What is the average annual shoreline loss in the Outer Banks?
The Outer Banks region is losing approximately 15 feet of shoreline each year.
What challenges is Dare County facing regarding coastal protection funding?
Dare County has faced challenges in securing funding for coastal protection efforts due to its low population and associated tax base.
Key Features Chart
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Number of Collapses | 9 homes on Hatteras Island |
| Location of Collapses | Buxton and Rodanthe |
| Years of Coastal Collapse | 21 homes since 2020 |
| Annual Shoreline Loss | 15 feet |
| Hurricane Waves | 8 to 12 feet |
| Funding Challenges | $10 million per mile for beach renourishment |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
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
Coastal Erosion Destroys Homes in Buxton, North Carolina
Additional Resources
- AccuWeather
- The Washington Post
- 13 News Now
- CBS 17
- USA Today
- Wikipedia: Outer Banks
- Google Search: Outer Banks North Carolina coastal erosion
- Google Scholar: Outer Banks North Carolina erosion
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Outer Banks
- Google News: Outer Banks collapse homes
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.
