Concerns Rise as Oceanfront Homes Collapse in Rodanthe

Rodanthe, N.C., October 4, 2025

News Summary

Multiple homes have collapsed along the Cape Hatteras National Seashore in Rodanthe, prompting safety concerns among residents. The latest incident marks the ninth house to collapse this year, following a troubling sequence of collapses affecting the Buxton area. Environmental factors, including intensified coastal waves from recent hurricanes and forecasted king tides, are increasing the risks of further damage. Local officials are assessing the ongoing threats to coastal housing and the viability of continued development in these vulnerable areas.

Rodanthe, N.C. – On October 3, 2025, shortly before 6 p.m., a ninth unoccupied oceanfront house collapsed along Cape Hatteras National Seashore in Rodanthe. This latest collapse occurred at the address of 23047 GA Kohler Court and marks the first such incident in Rodanthe this year. In the days leading up to this collapse, eight other oceanfront homes had fallen in the nearby Buxton area, making the current situation a significant concern for local residents and officials.

On Tuesday, October 1, 2025, a series of collapses in Buxton took place between 2 p.m. and 2:45 p.m., resulting in six homes being lost within that short time frame. Another house fell later that night, followed by two additional collapses on Thursday, October 3, 2025. This troubling sequence has raised alarm bells for the community, particularly considering the environmental challenges facing the region.

In the previous year, 2024, six homes were lost along the seashore, all located within the Rodanthe area. Notably, three of those collapsed homes were situated in the 23000 block of GA Kohler Court. The recent collapses are attributed to coastal waves intensified by the effects of Hurricanes Imelda and Humberto, which passed offshore and generated hazardous conditions along the Outer Banks. Adding to the concern, king tides are forecasted for the upcoming week, likely increasing the risk of further damage along the coastline.

As a precaution, the entire beachfront stretching from northern Buxton to off-road vehicle (ORV) ramp 43 has been closed for public safety. ORV users have also been advised to refrain from traveling south from ramp 38 and north from ramp 43, due to the dangerous circumstances surrounding the collapses.

Since 2020, a total of 19 homes have collapsed in the Buxton and Rodanthe areas, a trend that has prompted local officials and environmental experts to assess the ongoing risks. Laura Moore, a professor at UNC Chapel Hill, explains that erosion in these areas is a result of insufficient sand replenishment caused by long-shore currents, further exacerbating the vulnerability of coastal homes.

Dare County Manager Bobby Outten has acknowledged the limitations governing bodies face in preventing house collapses, noting that the county does not own the beach or the surrounding land. Current environmental changes are contributing to more frequent and severe storms, occurring at higher water levels than in past decades. This pattern raises urgent questions about the feasibility of continued coastal development, particularly on barrier islands like Rodanthe.

Property owners facing potential loss of their homes are often reluctant to relocate them due to strict insurance policies that only provide payouts after a collapse occurs. Experts continue to express growing concerns about the sustainability of coastal development as the impacts of climate change and rising sea levels become increasingly pronounced.

Meanwhile, clean-up crews are set to begin work at the collapse site on Kohler Court, while warnings have been issued to visitors about hazardous debris in the area. Over the past five years, a total of 21 beach homes have been lost in the Buxton and Rodanthe zones due to ongoing coastal erosion and severe weather conditions.

Key Statistics of Home Collapses

Frequently Asked Questions

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

HERE Resources

Ongoing Home Collapses in Rodanthe Due to Hurricanes
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
Houses Collapse into Ocean in Buxton, North Carolina
Buxton Homeowners Combat Oceanfront Erosion with Sandbags
House Collapse in Buxton Highlights Coastal Erosion Crisis
Beachfront Home in Buxton Collapses into Atlantic Ocean

Additional Resources

• WRAL News
• WITN News
• The Washington Post
• CBS 17 News
• CBS News
• Wikipedia: Coastal Erosion
• Google Search: Outer Banks home collapse
• Google Scholar: coastal erosion North Carolina
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Hurricanes Imelda Humberto
• Google News: Rodanthe home 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.