North Carolina beaches closed after home collapses into sea; no swimming as septic systems break

Share

RODANTHE, N.C. (WNCN) — Some beaches are closed on the North Carolina coast after a home collapsed into the sea Friday at the Outer Banks.

High swells from Hurricane Ernesto swept the home to sea from the Rodanthe community on Hatteras Island.

“Substantial damage” has also occurred to several other threatened oceanfront structures in northern Rodanthe between the G.A. Kohler Drive area and the north end of Mirlo Beach, the Cape Hatteras National Seashore said Sunday.

The house collapse at 3214 Corbina Drive in Rodanthe was caught on video.

Debris from coastal home collapses have typically closed beaches — and taken dozens of truckloads to clean up.

Debris from the Friday home collapse has been seen 11 miles north of the home collapse site, according to the Cape Hatteras National Seashore.

A home from East Corbina Drive floating in the surf on Friday. Photo courtesy: Chicamacomico Banks Fire & Rescue.
A home from East Corbina Drive floating in the surf on Friday. Photo courtesy: Chicamacomico Banks Fire & Rescue.

The beach remains closed from Mirlo Beach to the parking lot on the north end of the Jug Handle Bridge, officials said.

In Buxton, ongoing erosion and high surf created ocean overwash under many homes and into neighborhoods.

“Hazardous debris, broken from beachfront houses, may be present on the beach and in the water,” National Park officials said.

Photo taken Aug. 18, 2024, showing broken concrete and other debris along the oceanfront near the north end of Rodanthe. Photo courtesy: Cape Hatteras National Seashore

Crews have seen broken septic systems and National Park officials are advising that the public should not go in the water until follow-up inspections are made.

Read more

Local News