Home collapses into Atlantic Ocean on Memorial Day along NC’s Outer Banks, officials say

Another home has collapsed into the Atlantic Ocean on North Carolina’s Outer Banks, according to the National Park Service.

It happened in Rodanthe, and the home was not occupied at the time it broke apart, Cape Hatteras National Seashore officials told McClatchy News in an email.

However, furniture is part of the debris seen on the beach, photos show.

Chicamacomico Banks Fire & Rescue issued a swimming hazard warning around 6:30 a.m. Tuesday, May 28.

“Tri-Village beachgoers beware! One of the houses on Ocean Drive has collapsed overnight,” the department wrote on Facebook.

“Debris (is) scattered in the area of the pier. Some debris may be floating and make swimming hazardous. With today’s current most debris will be floating north. Take caution.”

A cleanup effort is being led by the National Park Service.

Rodanthe is among the Outer Banks towns hardest hit by beach erosion — a normal part of beach living that has worsened due to rising sea levels, experts say.

The latest collapse brings the total to at least six fallen houses since 2020, the National Park Service says.

“Four out of the … collapses occurred over a 13-month period of time, including two collapses on the same day,” the park service wrote in a news release.

“Debris from the collapses was spotted more than 15 miles from the collapse site.”

The debris can be hazardous, including nail-filled boards, broken glass and parts of septic systems, officials say.

The NPS purchased two beach homes in 2023 and had them torn down after studies revealed they were destined to fall into the ocean at any time, the Raleigh News & Observer reported.