Outer Banks | Five homes collapse in Buxton, conditions persist through Wednesday

Five vacant oceanfront homes collapsed today in the Outer Banks due to strong winds and rough surf.

The five homes were on Ocean Drive, Tower Circle Road and Cottage Avenue in Buxton.

A total of 27 homes have collapsed on the seashore since 2022 due to erosion. Sixteen homes in Buxton and Rodanthe have been washed away since Sept. 16.

Cape Hatteras National Seashore warned visitors and residents of conditions that could threaten oceanfront structures through Oct. 29. Wind gusts of up to 60 mph are possible through Wednesday.

The addresses of the unoccupied homes that collapsed into the surf today include:

• 46002 Ocean Drive, collapsed at 10:45 a.m.
• 46223 Tower Circle Road, collapsed at 11 a.m.
• 46003 Ocean Drive, collapsed at 12:45 p.m.
• 46016 Cottage Ave., collapsed at 1 p.m.
• 46213 Tower Circle Road, collapsed at 4:30 p.m.

The homes that have collapsed this year were built between 1956 and 2022.

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ICYMI

• U.S. East Coast issued warning due to potential nor’easter, impact from Melissa
• Outer Banks | Beaches in Buxton, Rodanthe closed after nine homes collapse

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Due to hazardous debris in the water, beach closures are in place:

• In Rodanthe, the beach is closed from East Point Drive south for approximately 0.15 miles to Surfside Drive
• In Buxton, the beach is closed from the northernmost motels and houses south for 1.5 miles to just north of the off-road vehicle ramp 43

Hazardous conditions may also impact N.C. Highway 12. The Seashore recommended that visitors avoid the highway for at least one hour before and after high tide.

Challenging driving conditions are also likely to occur near:

• the Pea Island Visitor Center
• the north end of Buxton between Frisco and Hatteras
• the north end of Ocracoke Island