Buxton, North Carolina, October 4, 2025
News Summary
Buxton, North Carolina, is recovering from a coastal disaster as eight homes in the Tower Circle neighborhood have fallen into the Atlantic Ocean. The collapses, attributed to hurricanes Imelda and Humberto, occurred rapidly, resulting in no reported injuries but raising concerns about ongoing erosion. The total estimated taxable value of the lost homes is $2.7 million, highlighting the severe financial impacts of coastal erosion in the area. With rising sea levels and a proposed Preventing Environmental Hazards Act by Representative Greg Murphy, the community faces significant challenges ahead.
Buxton, North Carolina is grappling with the aftermath of a coastal disaster as eight homes in the Tower Circle neighborhood collapsed into the Atlantic Ocean. This devastating event was triggered by the impacts of hurricanes Imelda and Humberto, which generated substantial waves and severe erosion in the area.
Remarkably, five of the homes fell into the ocean within a single hour, while another home collapsed late on Friday evening in the nearby community of Rodanthe. Fortunately, no injuries have been reported from these incidents, but the beachfront areas have been closed to the public to ensure safety.
The homes that collapsed this week had a combined estimated taxable building value of $2.7 million, according to property records from Dare County. Since 2020, the Buxton and Rodanthe areas have witnessed a troubling trend, with a total of 19 homes collapsing due to ongoing coastal erosion, which is expected to worsen in the coming years.
Experts project significant coastal challenges in the near future. Reports indicate that beach erosion and sea level rise will likely escalate, with projections showing 10 to 14 inches of sea level rise and a tenfold increase in damaging flood events by the year 2050. This alarming trend ties directly to climate change, which will further exacerbate erosion and complicate current adaptation strategies.
The financial implications of this erosion are significant. The cost of removing or relocating homes in these vulnerable coastal areas often reaches tens of thousands of dollars, a burden that is not covered by FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Homeowners facing such destruction can only receive insurance payouts after their homes are entirely destroyed, with maximum payouts of $250,000 for the structure and $100,000 for contents.
Representative Greg Murphy is addressing these issues with the introduction of the Preventing Environmental Hazards Act, which aims to offer homeowners upfront payments to either remove or relocate threatened properties. This legislation is currently under review in the House Financial Services Committee and has not yet been presented on the floor for a vote.
Despite ongoing efforts for beach renourishment, these initiatives face financial hurdles. Projects are estimated to cost around $10 million per mile, with the unincorporated Village of Rodanthe, which has a population of less than 1,000, struggling to generate sufficient tax revenue for necessary beach nourishment efforts. Additionally, Dare County previously applied for a FEMA grant to fund a $40 million beach nourishment project in Rodanthe but was not awarded the funding.
The timing of the collapses coincided with dangerous high surf conditions, featuring waves estimated at 8 to 12 feet. Drone footage captured the dramatic moments when the homes fell, with local residents describing the sounds as akin to “bombs going off.” The rapid changes in the shoreline have left properties, once set back from the beach, now facing immediate risk.
Experts have raised concerns that certain barrier islands were never suitable for development due to their dynamic nature and vulnerability to erosion, an issue that is now manifesting through the tangible loss of homes.
FAQ
How many homes collapsed into the ocean in Buxton, North Carolina?
Eight homes collapsed into the Atlantic Ocean as a result of offshore impacts from hurricanes Imelda and Humberto.
What was the combined estimated taxable building value of the homes that fell?
The eight homes that fell this week had a combined estimated taxable building value of $2.7 million, according to Dare County property records.
How many homes have collapsed in Buxton and Rodanthe since 2020?
Since 2020, a total of 19 homes have collapsed in the Buxton and Rodanthe area due to coastal erosion.
Is there any financial assistance available for homeowners?
Homeowners can only collect insurance payouts from FEMA after a home has been destroyed, with maximum payouts of $250,000 for the structure and $100,000 for contents. The cost of removing or relocating homes is often tens of thousands of dollars and is not covered by FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program.
Key Features of the Incident
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Buxton, North Carolina, Tower Circle neighborhood |
| Number of Collapses | Eight homes collapsed |
| Property Value of Collapsed Homes | $2.7 million |
| Years of Collapses since 2020 | 19 homes |
| Proposed Legislation | Preventing Environmental Hazards Act |
| Projected Sea Level Rise | 10 to 14 inches by 2050 |
| Cost of Beach Nourishment | $10 million per mile |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Coastal Erosion Destroys Homes in Buxton, North Carolina
Concerns Rise as Oceanfront Homes Collapse in Rodanthe
Ongoing Home Collapses in Rodanthe Due to Hurricanes
Hurricanes Cause Significant Damage to Buxton Vacation Homes
Hurricane-Induced Coastal Erosion Claims Eight Homes in Buxton
Buxton Neighborhood Disappears into the Atlantic Ocean
Eighth Home Collapses into Ocean in Buxton, NC
Six Homes Collapse into Atlantic Ocean in Buxton, NC
Eighth House Collapses in Buxton Amid Erosion Crisis
Hurricanes Cause Severe Damage in Buxton, NC
Additional Resources
- Fox Weather: North Carolina Outer Banks Buxton Homes Collapse
- Wikipedia: Coastal Erosion
- WRAL: Outer Banks Rodanthe Buxton Homes Collapse
- Google Search: Hurricane Imelda
- CBS News: Buxton, North Carolina Homes Collapse
- Google Scholar: Coastal Disaster North Carolina
- USA Today: Houses Collapse in North Carolina Outer Banks
- Encyclopedia Britannica: North Carolina
- CBS 17: 8th Oceanfront House Collapses in 3 Days
- Google News: North Carolina Beach House 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.
