Buxton, North Carolina, has recently faced serious damage as the ocean claims multiple homes along the Outer Banks (OBX). On a single Tuesday, five oceanfront homes in Buxton collapsed into the sea. This adds to the growing total of 17 homes lost on Hatteras Island since 2020. The destruction has caused concern for residents and officials who are now pushing for solutions to protect the area.
The Collapses
The homes that fell into the ocean were located on Cottage Avenue and Tower Circle Road in Buxton. The Cape Hatteras National Seashore reported that all the houses were unoccupied at the time of the collapse, and no injuries have been reported. The event happened between 2 p.m. and 2:45 p.m. Officials closed the oceanfront area from northern Buxton to ORV ramp 43 to ensure public safety. People using ORV ramp 38 were warned not to drive south due to dangerous debris.
These collapses are not an isolated event. They come just two weeks after another Buxton home, owned by the family of Bonnie Clarke Lattimore, was lost to the ocean. Lattimore explained that her family had considered moving the house years ago and had started the moving process after Hurricane Erin but could not complete it in time.
“I feel like someone died,” Lattimore said when talking about losing the home called “Dream House One.” She described the emotional toll of watching a place filled with memories being destroyed by the ocean.
Why Are Homes Falling into the Ocean?
The Outer Banks has been facing rough surf and harsh coastal conditions lately due to offshore hurricanes. Specifically, Hurricanes Humberto and Imelda have caused waves as high as 6 to 12 feet with strong northeast wind gusts of 35 to 45 miles per hour. These conditions lead to severe coastal erosion and the washing away of dunes that normally protect the shoreline.
Meteorologist Tony Nargi explained that this erosion is expected to continue, contributing to more coastal flooding. A Coastal Flood Warning is currently in effect for areas including Rodanthe and down south, with predicted floodwater levels between 2 and 3 feet.
The Buxton Civic Association’s Heather Jennette said the collapses are what many feared but hoped wouldn’t happen. Jennette emphasized the need to find a turning point where efforts are focused on saving remaining homes rather than losing more.
Community Response and Challenges
The Buxton Civic Association is calling for more help from state lawmakers and other agencies. Jennette said the community has been trying to get assistance for some time but feels ignored. She stressed that now it is urgent to act before more homes fall into the ocean.
Discussions have been underway about how to protect homes from the rising threat of coastal erosion. Some homeowners have moved homes further inland, away from the water. Others have called for beach nourishment projects, which involve adding sand to beaches to rebuild lost dunes. There are also plans to repair a jetty that could help stabilize the shoreline.
Despite these efforts, there are still worries about what the future holds as the ocean continues to claim parts of the Outer Banks. More home collapses are expected as rough seas persist. Visitors to the area have been advised to stay away from the affected oceanfront zones because of hazardous debris.
The Bigger Picture
The situation in Buxton reflects a larger problem facing many coastal communities around the country. Rising sea levels, stronger storms, and ongoing coastal erosion threaten homes and lives. The Outer Banks, a popular vacation and residential area, is particularly vulnerable because of its low elevation and exposure to Atlantic storms.
Since 2020, most of the homes lost to the ocean were in Rodanthe, another town on Hatteras Island. Now Buxton joins the list, making it clear that protective measures need to be more effective and widespread.
The community’s struggle points to the need for a combined effort involving government support, engineering solutions, and responsible land management. The goal is to reduce damage from storms and slow coastal erosion while preserving the special character of the OBX.
What’s Next for Buxton?
In response to the recent collapses, local groups are pushing for beach nourishment work to take place next year. This involves placing new sand along the shoreline to replace what has been lost and to help rebuild dunes that protect against waves and flooding.
There is also hope that repairs to the jetties can help stabilize the coast, though such projects require funding and approval which take time.
Meanwhile, residents and officials continue to watch the weather and ocean conditions closely. With hurricanes still active in the Atlantic, more rough surf could lead to more damage.
Conclusion
The loss of homes in Buxton to the ocean is a stark reminder of the power of nature and the challenges coastal communities face. Five more houses falling into the sea in one day shows how quickly conditions can worsen.
Community leaders say it’s time for action, both to protect what remains and to prepare for future storms. Moving homes back from the shoreline, restoring beaches, and repairing jetties are all part of the plan.
But help is needed from lawmakers and agencies to make these efforts possible. Buxton’s experience shows that coastal erosion is not just an environmental issue; it is about people’s homes, memories, and futures. The hope is that with the right support, more homes will be spared and the Outer Banks can remain a special place for many years to come.
