Source: Outer Banks Voice
Another home has collapsed into the ocean in Rodanthe, North Carolina. The incident occurred on March 13, when the home, located on the beachfront, was swallowed by the relentless waves of the Atlantic.
The Cape Hatteras National Seashore (CHNS) released the following statement, “The bulk of the debris is at the site of the collapsed house, located at 23228 East Point Drive, Rodanthe. The (CHNS) is communicating with the owner of the house to coordinate the removal of the house and all related debris on the beach.” CHNS also warns visitors to ”use caution when participating in recreational activities on the beach and in the ocean near East Point Drive in Rodanthe, North Carolina, due to debris from a collapsed one-story house.”
This is the fourth such incident to occur in the area in a little over a year. In February of 2022 a home on Ocean Drive succumbed to the rising ocean. In May of 2022, two unoccupied homes on Ocean Drive collapsed within a 12-hour period, prompting concerns about the safety of beachfront properties in the region.
With climate change causing more frequent and severe weather events, coastal erosion and flooding have increased substantially in recent years, authorities in Rodanthe have been warning residents and property owners about the dangers of coastal erosion and rising sea levels and have attempted to make plans to restore the beach, but lack the funding necessary to implement the plan.
The collapse of the fourth home in Rodanthe has once again highlighted the urgent need for action to address the impact of climate change and the associated risks. With more severe storms and rising sea levels expected in the coming years, coastal communities in the Outer Banks will continue to face significant challenges in protecting their properties and residents from the dangers of the rising Atlantic Ocean.
