The collapses have created a growing mound of debris just as a federal budget showdown in Congress has resulted in a partial shutdown of the National Park Service. It is common for the nail-filled debris to drift for more than 10 miles, then wash ashore on other islands.
Scripps WTKR Norfolk video screengrab
A neighborhood continues to vanish on North Carolina’s Outer Banks, with a seventh home falling into the Atlantic Ocean in just three days, investigators say.
The latest collapse involved an unoccupied home at 46207 Tower Circle in Buxton, which fell around 8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 1, according to the National Park Service.
It is the fourth home on Tower Circle Road to collapse since Monday. The other three homes are on Cottage Avenue, which intersects Tower Circle Road. None were occupied.
The collapses have created a mountain of dangerous debris just as a federal budget showdownhas caused a partial shutdown for the National Park Service.
Safety concerns prompted Cape Hatteras National Seashore to close the beach in Buxton, as well as the beach in northern Rodanthe.
“These closures are in place because of dozens of threatened oceanfront structures that may break apart or collapse, releasing hazardous debris into the water,” the park said in a news release.
Owners of the “multiple” fallen homes have been contacted about cleaning up the debris, but “their cleanup plans are unclear at this time,” park officials said.
Dozens more homes remain at risk of falling due to wind and waves generated by Hurricane Imelda and the remnants of former Hurricane Humberto, experts say.
The storms will bring “large breaking waves, ocean overwash, coastal flooding, and wave runup impacts” to the Outer Banks through the rest of the week, according to the National Weather Service.
Worsening erosion and rising sea levels are behind the growing threat to beach homes. When protective sand dunes vanish, homes are left in the direct path of breaking waves, experts say.
Nineteen homes at Cape Hatteras National Seashore have collapsed into the Atlantic over the past five years, park officials say.
Mark Price is a National Reporter for McClatchy News. He joined the network of newspapers in 1991 at The Charlotte Observer, covering beats including schools, crime, immigration, LGBTQ issues, homelessness and nonprofits. He graduated from the University of Memphis with majors in journalism and art history, and a minor in geology.
The collapses have created a growing mound of debris just as a federal budget showdown in Congress has resulted in a partial shutdown of the National Park Service. It is common for the nail-filled debris to drift for more than 10 miles, then wash ashore on other islands.
Scripps WTKR Norfolk video screengrab
A neighborhood continues to vanish on North Carolina’s Outer Banks, with a seventh home falling into the Atlantic Ocean in just three days, investigators say.
The latest collapse involved an unoccupied home at 46207 Tower Circle in Buxton, which fell around 8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 1, according to the National Park Service.
It is the fourth home on Tower Circle Road to collapse since Monday. The other three homes are on Cottage Avenue, which intersects Tower Circle Road. None were occupied.
The collapses have created a mountain of dangerous debris just as a federal budget showdownhas caused a partial shutdown for the National Park Service.
Safety concerns prompted Cape Hatteras National Seashore to close the beach in Buxton, as well as the beach in northern Rodanthe.
“These closures are in place because of dozens of threatened oceanfront structures that may break apart or collapse, releasing hazardous debris into the water,” the park said in a news release.
Owners of the “multiple” fallen homes have been contacted about cleaning up the debris, but “their cleanup plans are unclear at this time,” park officials said.
Dozens more homes remain at risk of falling due to wind and waves generated by Hurricane Imelda and the remnants of former Hurricane Humberto, experts say.
The storms will bring “large breaking waves, ocean overwash, coastal flooding, and wave runup impacts” to the Outer Banks through the rest of the week, according to the National Weather Service.
Worsening erosion and rising sea levels are behind the growing threat to beach homes. When protective sand dunes vanish, homes are left in the direct path of breaking waves, experts say.
Nineteen homes at Cape Hatteras National Seashore have collapsed into the Atlantic over the past five years, park officials say.
Mark Price is a National Reporter for McClatchy News. He joined the network of newspapers in 1991 at The Charlotte Observer, covering beats including schools, crime, immigration, LGBTQ issues, homelessness and nonprofits. He graduated from the University of Memphis with majors in journalism and art history, and a minor in geology.
The collapses have created a growing mound of debris just as a federal budget showdown in Congress has resulted in a partial shutdown of the National Park Service. This photo was taken Oct. 2 and the home on the left once stood at 46221 Tower Circle Road.
National Park Service photo
UPDATE: A ninth home collapsed into the Atlantic Ocean on Friday, Oct. 3, at 23047 G.A. Kohler Court in Rodanthe, according to the National Park Service. The home was unoccupied. The other eight homes that collapsed were in Buxton, about a 25-mile drive south of Rodanthe on the Outer Banks.
The original story is below.
An entire neighborhood is continuing to vanish in Buxton, North Carolina, as the eighth home in four days fell into the Atlantic Ocean, Outer Banks officials say.
The latest collapse involved an unoccupied home at 46221 Tower Circle Road, which fell around 5 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 2, according to the National Park Service.
It is the fifth home on Tower Circle Road to collapse since Monday. The other three homes are on Cottage Avenue, which intersects Tower Circle Road. None were occupied.
This photo shows the home at 46207 Tower Circle Road in Buxton after it fell into the Atlantic Ocean on Oct. 1, the National Park Service says. National Park Service photo
The collapses have created a mountain of dangerous debris along the Outer Banks just as a federal budget showdown has caused a partial shutdown for the National Park Service.
Safety concerns prompted Cape Hatteras National Seashore to close the beach in Buxton, as well as the beach in northern Rodanthe.
“These closures are in place because of dozens of threatened oceanfront structures that may break apart or collapse, releasing hazardous debris into the water,” the park said in a news release.
Owners of the “multiple” fallen homes have been contacted about cleaning up the wreckage, but “their cleanup plans are unclear at this time,” park officials said.
It is common for debris from collapsed homes to drift for miles, and the National Park Service says 40 staffers will begin work Oct. 3 on collecting debris that has washed up south of Buxton.
Dozens more homes remain at risk of falling due to wind and waves generated by Hurricane Imelda and the remnants of former Hurricane Humberto, experts say.
The storms will bring “large breaking waves, ocean overwash, coastal flooding, and wave runup impacts” to the Outer Banks through the rest of the week, according to the National Weather Service.
Worsening erosion and rising sea levels are behind the growing threat to beach homes. When protective sand dunes vanish, homes are left in the direct path of breaking waves, experts say.
Twenty homes at Cape Hatteras National Seashore have collapsed into the Atlantic over the past five years, park officials say.
This story was originally published October 2, 2025 at 6:31 AM.
Mark Price is a National Reporter for McClatchy News. He joined the network of newspapers in 1991 at The Charlotte Observer, covering beats including schools, crime, immigration, LGBTQ issues, homelessness and nonprofits. He graduated from the University of Memphis with majors in journalism and art history, and a minor in geology.
This photo gallery shows the impacts of high tides, erosion and dangerous surf conditions as Hurricane Erin’s center of circulation passes the North Carolina coastline between Aug. 20-21, 2025.
Simply put, today is the day that Hurricane Erin will do its worst along the U.S. East Coast. We’re already see the large waves and coastal flooding in North Carolina’s Outer Banks, but this large storm’s trek northeast is also pushing ocean swells high onto beaches along New York’s Fire Island and the Jersey Shore.
Our meteorologists have a full rundown of where Erin is now, where it’s headed today and when you can expect the peak of today’s impacts.
Our team will also keep you updated throughout the day on where the flooding is happening and the closures that result.
It turned out, Erin’s center came as close as 200 miles east-southeast of Hatteras, North Carolina, as of 2 a.m. ET today.
But given Erin’s tropical storm force winds were up to 480 miles wide, it is bringing tropical storm conditions to coastal North Carolina and the Virginia Tidewater today, not to mention coastal flooding, high surf and rip currents along the East Coast.
A hurricane — especially one this large — doesn’t have to make landfall to be impactful.
(09:20 a.m. EDT) Massive Swells At Popular Florida Pier
A Florida meteorologist shared some impressive sunrise video of huge ocean swells crashing onto Juno Beach. The waves popped out a few boards of the Juno Pier, which remains open right now.
We’re at another high tide along the East Coast and, as you can see in the graphic from the National Weather Service below, there are three more high tides after this morning where coastal flooding is expected in the northern Outer Banks of North Carolina.
This evening’s high tide is the one where flooding may be greatest from North Carolina to the Jersey shore, as northeast winds from soon departing Hurricane Erin keep pushing water to the coast.
(08:44 a.m. EDT) Will NC-12 Hold?
A front-end loader clears a road of sand while floodwaters cover it
That’s the million-dollar question along North Carolina’s Outer Banks. The highway known as NC-12 is a lifeline for locals, vacationers and emergency responders alike. It spans about 150 miles, connecting the islands of the Outer Banks, but stretches of it have been destroyed by hurricanes of previous years.
Early risers along the East Coast are posting photos to social media of a pretty spectacular sunrise, courtesy of Hurricane Erin’s moisture. This photo from Charleston, South Carolina, was just posted by meteorologist Joey Sovine.
Hurricane Erin is a huge storm capable of producing some giant waves. Many of these waves will remain unknown and unrecorded, but there are plenty of buoys out in the Atlantic capable of picking up data to give us some sense of what’s going on out there.
Keep an eye on buoy 41001, located 150 nautical miles east of Cape Hatteras, which recently reported significant wave heights of 44.9 feet. As senior digital meteorologist Jonathan Erdman explains, since “max wave heights” are usually 2x the sig. wave heights….there could be up to 90-foot waves well offshore!”
Hurricane Erin is churning up life-threatening rip currents and dangerous surf along much of the U.S. East Coast and will soon send destructive waves and storm surge to North Carolina’s Outer Banks. Meanwhile, Atlantic hurricane season is hitting its stride, threatening to spin up another named storm in Erin’s wake.Erin, a sprawling Category 2 hurricane, is not forecast to make landfall but will impact much of the East Coast with dangerous coastal conditions as it tracks north, nearly paralleling the coast. Bermuda will face similar conditions to the storm’s east.Preparations are ramping up along the coast with the worst of Erin’s impacts expected to begin Wednesday in North Carolina. Gov. Josh Stein declared a state of emergency on Tuesday to free up resources as the state’s coastal region readies up for the hurricane’s threats.Erin is already creating dangers: Dozens of rip current rescues have been conducted in North Carolina, and popular beaches in Maryland, Virginia, Delaware and New Jersey, as well as all public beaches in New York City, have enacted no swimming decrees until Erin’s threat passes.More than a dozen people were rescued at North Carolina’s Wrightsville Beach on Tuesday, following about 60 rescues at the beach Monday, according to Sam Proffitt, the town’s ocean rescue director.The beach has issued a no-swim advisory through Friday, but Proffitt said most of those rescued have been beachgoers going for a swim on what is seemingly just another hot, sunny day. But Erin is already causing frequent rip currents in the area.“They are very large, sometimes several blocks wide, and extremely strong,” Proffitt told CNN. “It’s a lot of water moving. It’s a lot of energy. It’s all funneling out. So it really doesn’t matter how good of a swimmer you are.”Not far to the north, Surf City Fire Department Ocean Rescue Services made 15 rescues Monday, Fire Chief Allen Wilson told CNN.A tropical storm warning stretches from the middle of North Carolina’s coast up to its border of Virginia. The warning means tropical-storm-force winds (39 to 73 mph) are expected within 36 hours. A tropical storm watch has been issued for areas north of the Virginia–North Carolina border up to Chincoteague, Virginia, just south of Delaware.A tropical storm watch has also been issued for Bermuda.Dare and Hyde counties, which encompass most of the Outer Banks, have already issued local states of emergency with mandatory evacuations for Hatteras and Ocracoke islands.Officials worried some may disregard the danger because landfall isn’t expected. “They’re thinking since this one isn’t going to hit us directly, it’s not going to be a problem. Well, it’s going to be a problem,” Dare County Manager Robert Outten told WITN.North Carolina’s Highway 12, the slim, scenic stretch of road connecting the islands of the Outer Banks, could be completely inaccessible for several days due to significant coastal flooding. Other coastal roads could be impassable at times, especially around high tide.“I know many who live on the island feel they can ride out a storm, but Hurricane Erin is different,” Dare County Emergency Management Director Drew Pearson said in a Tuesday news release. “Extended flooding and the threat to Highway 12 will severely limit our ability to respond — and even a slight shift in Erin’s track toward our coast could bring much more dangerous conditions. Please, do not take the risk. Evacuate now, while it is still safe to do so.”The hurricane exploded in strength to a Category 5 over the weekend, fueled by very warm water, in one of the fastest rapid intensification bursts on record in the Atlantic. While its category has changed since then, its threat has not.Its outer bands lashed Puerto Rico, the southeast Bahamas and Turks and Caicos, causing flooding, power outages and some airport closures.Erin’s life-threatening impactsThe hurricane’s impact will be felt not through direct landfall, but through water: large, pounding surf, dangerous currents and coastal flooding during high tides.That water is being driven by Erin’s expansive winds. Tropical storm-force winds extended more than 260 miles out from Erin’s center early Wednesday and could reach even farther by Thursday, when it makes its closest pass to the North Carolina coast.Erin’s winds could push up to 4 feet of storm surge onto the Outer Banks late Wednesday into Thursday. A storm surge warning is in effect for a large portion of the region. Rip current risks will remain high along much of the East Coast through late this week.Extensive beach erosion is likely in the Outer Banks, with waves of 20 feet or more forecast this week, according to the National Weather Service. These large waves “will likely cause severe beach and coastal damage,” the National Weather Service in Morehead City, North Carolina, cautioned Tuesday.Protective sand dunes could be inundated and destroyed, which could lead to severe flooding inland, National Park Service officials at Cape Hatteras National Seashore warned Monday.Multiple Outer Banks homes have collapsed into the ocean in recent years, including at least three around this time last year from Hurricane Ernesto’s waves. At least two homes in Rodanthe are “very, very vulnerable” to collapse this week, Cape Hatteras National Seashore Superintendent Dave Hallac told WRAL.As if that wasn’t enough, the tides around the Outer Banks will be at their highest levels of the month on Wednesday and Thursday. Adding Erin’s large waves to the mix could cause serious coastal flooding.Bermuda also lies in Erin’s path of influence, with forecasters expecting the island to see very rough seas and possibly tropical storm–force winds later this week.More tropical trouble could follow ErinAtlantic hurricane season’s most active stretch typically kicks off in mid-August and that’s certainly ringing true this year. The National Hurricane Center is monitoring two areas for possible tropical development in the same part of the Atlantic Erin tracked through last week.The first area of disorganized showers and thunderstorms is over the open tropical Atlantic and has a medium chance of developing into a tropical depression or tropical storm within the next week.The storminess is forecast to approach the Leeward Islands on Friday, but it’s still unclear if it will be able to develop into at least a tropical depression by then or if that organization will happen over the weekend. Without that key point in focus, it’s even less clear where the system could head from there. Anyone in the Caribbean, Bahamas and southeastern U.S. should keep an eye on the forecast this week.Another area near Africa’s Cabo Verde islands has a low chance to develop over the next few days before it runs into more hostile atmospheric conditions at the end of the week. If this system does develop into a tropical depression or tropical storm in the coming days, it will likely slowly trudge over the Atlantic, away from land, into at least next week.The next two tropical storms that develop in the Atlantic will be given the names Fernand and Gabrielle.
Hurricane Erin is churning up life-threatening rip currents and dangerous surf along much of the U.S. East Coast and will soon send destructive waves and storm surge to North Carolina’s Outer Banks. Meanwhile, Atlantic hurricane season is hitting its stride, threatening to spin up another named storm in Erin’s wake.
Erin, a sprawling Category 2 hurricane, is not forecast to make landfall but will impact much of the East Coast with dangerous coastal conditions as it tracks north, nearly paralleling the coast. Bermuda will face similar conditions to the storm’s east.
Preparations are ramping up along the coast with the worst of Erin’s impacts expected to begin Wednesday in North Carolina. Gov. Josh Stein declared a state of emergency on Tuesday to free up resources as the state’s coastal region readies up for the hurricane’s threats.
Erin is already creating dangers: Dozens of rip current rescues have been conducted in North Carolina, and popular beaches in Maryland, Virginia, Delaware and New Jersey, as well as all public beaches in New York City, have enacted no swimming decrees until Erin’s threat passes.
More than a dozen people were rescued at North Carolina’s Wrightsville Beach on Tuesday, following about 60 rescues at the beach Monday, according to Sam Proffitt, the town’s ocean rescue director.
The beach has issued a no-swim advisory through Friday, but Proffitt said most of those rescued have been beachgoers going for a swim on what is seemingly just another hot, sunny day. But Erin is already causing frequent rip currents in the area.
“They are very large, sometimes several blocks wide, and extremely strong,” Proffitt told CNN. “It’s a lot of water moving. It’s a lot of energy. It’s all funneling out. So it really doesn’t matter how good of a swimmer you are.”
Not far to the north, Surf City Fire Department Ocean Rescue Services made 15 rescues Monday, Fire Chief Allen Wilson told CNN.
A tropical storm warning stretches from the middle of North Carolina’s coast up to its border of Virginia. The warning means tropical-storm-force winds (39 to 73 mph) are expected within 36 hours. A tropical storm watch has been issued for areas north of the Virginia–North Carolina border up to Chincoteague, Virginia, just south of Delaware.
A tropical storm watch has also been issued for Bermuda.
Dare and Hyde counties, which encompass most of the Outer Banks, have already issued local states of emergency with mandatory evacuations for Hatteras and Ocracoke islands.
Officials worried some may disregard the danger because landfall isn’t expected. “They’re thinking since this one isn’t going to hit us directly, it’s not going to be a problem. Well, it’s going to be a problem,” Dare County Manager Robert Outten told WITN.
North Carolina’s Highway 12, the slim, scenic stretch of road connecting the islands of the Outer Banks, could be completely inaccessible for several days due to significant coastal flooding. Other coastal roads could be impassable at times, especially around high tide.
“I know many who live on the island feel they can ride out a storm, but Hurricane Erin is different,” Dare County Emergency Management Director Drew Pearson said in a Tuesday news release. “Extended flooding and the threat to Highway 12 will severely limit our ability to respond — and even a slight shift in Erin’s track toward our coast could bring much more dangerous conditions. Please, do not take the risk. Evacuate now, while it is still safe to do so.”
The hurricane exploded in strength to a Category 5 over the weekend, fueled by very warm water, in one of the fastest rapid intensification bursts on record in the Atlantic. While its category has changed since then, its threat has not.
Its outer bands lashed Puerto Rico, the southeast Bahamas and Turks and Caicos, causing flooding, power outages and some airport closures.
Erin’s life-threatening impacts
The hurricane’s impact will be felt not through direct landfall, but through water: large, pounding surf, dangerous currents and coastal flooding during high tides.
That water is being driven by Erin’s expansive winds. Tropical storm-force winds extended more than 260 miles out from Erin’s center early Wednesday and could reach even farther by Thursday, when it makes its closest pass to the North Carolina coast.
Erin’s winds could push up to 4 feet of storm surge onto the Outer Banks late Wednesday into Thursday. A storm surge warning is in effect for a large portion of the region. Rip current risks will remain high along much of the East Coast through late this week.
Extensive beach erosion is likely in the Outer Banks, with waves of 20 feet or more forecast this week, according to the National Weather Service. These large waves “will likely cause severe beach and coastal damage,” the National Weather Service in Morehead City, North Carolina, cautioned Tuesday.
Protective sand dunes could be inundated and destroyed, which could lead to severe flooding inland, National Park Service officials at Cape Hatteras National Seashore warned Monday.
Multiple Outer Banks homes have collapsed into the ocean in recent years, including at least three around this time last year from Hurricane Ernesto’s waves. At least two homes in Rodanthe are “very, very vulnerable” to collapse this week, Cape Hatteras National Seashore Superintendent Dave Hallac told WRAL.
As if that wasn’t enough, the tides around the Outer Banks will be at their highest levels of the month on Wednesday and Thursday. Adding Erin’s large waves to the mix could cause serious coastal flooding.
Bermuda also lies in Erin’s path of influence, with forecasters expecting the island to see very rough seas and possibly tropical storm–force winds later this week.
More tropical trouble could follow Erin
Atlantic hurricane season’s most active stretch typically kicks off in mid-August and that’s certainly ringing true this year. The National Hurricane Center is monitoring two areas for possible tropical development in the same part of the Atlantic Erin tracked through last week.
The first area of disorganized showers and thunderstorms is over the open tropical Atlantic and has a medium chance of developing into a tropical depression or tropical storm within the next week.
The storminess is forecast to approach the Leeward Islands on Friday, but it’s still unclear if it will be able to develop into at least a tropical depression by then or if that organization will happen over the weekend. Without that key point in focus, it’s even less clear where the system could head from there. Anyone in the Caribbean, Bahamas and southeastern U.S. should keep an eye on the forecast this week.
Another area near Africa’s Cabo Verde islands has a low chance to develop over the next few days before it runs into more hostile atmospheric conditions at the end of the week. If this system does develop into a tropical depression or tropical storm in the coming days, it will likely slowly trudge over the Atlantic, away from land, into at least next week.
The next two tropical storms that develop in the Atlantic will be given the names Fernand and Gabrielle.
Jonathan Daviss leans back, throws his hands in front of him, and tilts his body. “I JoJo pose all the time,” he says while contorting his frame in a pair of dark-blue baggy jeans and a crisp denim jacket to mimic one of his favorite anime characters (and one he shares a name with): Jonathan “JoJo” Joestar of JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure.
Daviss—who goes by JD—has been an anime fan for well over a decade. It started when he was assigned mandatory reading in high school and picked up Naruto. Immediately, he became obsessed. “I went to Barnes & Noble and started buying the volumes,” he says while lounging on a couch in a red T-shirt in the green room of StyleCaster’s studio in New York City. “By buying, I mean, I would sit in Barnes & Noble and read them because I didn’t have money. This is the time where they weren’t checking.”
Photographer: George Chinsee. Design: Stephanie Cui.
Daviss has come a long way since he was reading manga for free at Barnes & Noble. For the past four years, he’s starred as Pope Heyward, the brains of a ragtag team of treasure hunters and best friends on the coast of North Caroline, in Netflix’s teen drama series, Outer Banks. The series—which premiered the first part of its fourth season on October 10 and is set to return with its second part on November 7—was the catalyst that catapulted Daviss, along with the rest of the cast, from unknown actors to Gen Z royalty. Still, after four seasons at the number one on Netflix’s top shows list and millions of social media followers later, Daviss isn’t taking anything for granted.
“My life changed after I booked the part because all of a sudden I was shooting a TV show for Netflix in South Carolina,” he says. “That was the whole goal in the first place. The show doing well, that changed my life in a different way. But in terms of the thing I had been looking for, once I was on that film set, I was working. I was enveloped in making something come to life. That was the true goal.”
Photographer: George Chinsee. Design: Stephanie Cui.
Does it feel weird to look back on what your life was like during that first season? I was 19, so I was basically a kid. It was a big transition for me. I never had a lead part before. We didn’t know what this show could be like and the reach it would have. Every season since then, we’ve been making it with a mindset of, “No people are actually gonna, watch.” Before then, there were no expectations.
What was your life like at the time before the show? I was doing the artist struggle. I was working two jobs. I worked at Saks Off 5th Avenue in the women’s shoe department. I was also charging Bird scooters on the side for extra cash, sleeping on couches, just trying to make it happen. That hunger definitely helped with the audition. I remember thinking to myself after the first audition like, “I don’t know who else they would get if they don’t choose me. It would be crazy if they cast anybody else.”
My life changed after I booked the part.
Outer Banks is now in Season 4. How does this season feel different from past seasons? It was us trying to make it a return to form and connect with what audiences liked in the first place. A lot of it was making sure we paid homage and respect to this friendship that was so important in the first season.
Photographer: George Chinsee. Design: Stephanie Cui.
Photographer: George Chinsee. Design: Stephanie Cui.
When the Season 4 trailer came out, there were a lot of comments from fans about how the Pogues spent the first three seasons looking for the treasure only to blow it all the next season. What was your reaction when you read that in the script? We were trying to figure out how to make them poor again, and when people watch the show, they’ll understand how it got to that point. There are definitely some decisions that get made in that first episode. But I have to constantly have to remind myself that these kids are like 17. They’re not like 24 year olds who have made and lost money. As far as I’m concerned, if MC Hammer can lose all that money, these kids can lose all that money.
Season 4 also started with all six of the Pogues in relationships. How do you think Pope and Cleo are different than John B. and Sarah, and JJ and Kiara? I feel like Pope and Cleo’s relationship is different in the way Pope didn’t necessarily want a girlfriend at the time. I don’t think he wanted to be with anybody. He was still pretty hurt about the whole Kiara situation, and he had to learn to warm up to Cleo, and vice versa. Season 3 was about him getting over his first crush, and now he’s with somebody who genuinely cares for him and has seen him through some really hard times, who’s loyal and consistent. Honestly, he wishes he could be more like Cleo, who’s confident and very sure in herself. I think he really admires that about her. This is his first serious relationship and the first girlfriend he’s ever had. He’s still learning how to have a girlfriend, and she’s still learning how to have a boyfriend who isn’t trying to steal from her. It’s very cute. They’re in a very different type of relationship than the other two couples.
Do you think they’re endgame? Absolutely. They’re my personal endgame.
Photographer: George Chinsee. Design: Stephanie Cui.
There was a huge death in Season 4 with Terrance. What was your reaction when you first read that in the script? It was insane. I didn’t know he would die so quick, but it definitely pushes Cleo’s character into this place for the rest of the show where she’s on a revenge quest. That’s her father in a lot of ways. It makes it a real personal journey for Cleo. And because of that, it makes it a real personal journey for Pope. This isn’t like one of the other father deaths, where you can’t really do anything about it. There’s a real revenge aspect to this one.
I remember thinking after the first audition, ‘I don’t know who else they would get if they don’t choose me.’
Every season the Pogues get themselves into dangerous situations and they always seem to make it out alive. Do you think there’s a possibility a Pogue could ever die? These kids are like superheroes. I’m pretty sure they could survive an atomic bomb like cockroaches. Like any show, you have hope [someone doesn’t die.] You love all these people, and you don’t want to see anything bad happen to them.
On that topic, Season 4, Part 1 ends on a cliffhanger where Pope and Sarah’s lives are at stake. What can you tease about how they survive? I would say it gets more dangerous before it doesn’t.
Photographer: George Chinsee. Design: Stephanie Cui.
Photographer: George Chinsee. Design: Stephanie Cui.
Season 4, Part 1 also ends with a cliffhanger about JJ learning the identity of his real parents, specifically his dad. What can you say about how that plays out in Part 2? It’s a more personal connection to this treasure they were doing to just pay their bills. Now all of a sudden, they’re implicated so heavily that they have no choice. It flips how JJ views the world. His dad’s not his dad. He didn’t have a great one to start with. Now, we don’t know who this guy is. We’re hoping we can all keep our crew together, and we don’t splinter off.
Have the creators talked about how long they see the show running for? They always said it’s two trilogies, you know, they wanted to do another trilogy. But it really depends on how the fans react to each season as they come out and how many times you want to come back for it. We’d love to give the fans as much Outer Banks as they want.
How do you see the show ending? I don’t think Pope’s getting that scholarship. I’m gonna be honest with you. I think that scholarship is long gone. I just hope they can all live happy lives. I hope they can all go into adulthood and become full-time treasure hunters as their occupation.
Photographer: George Chinsee. Design: Stephanie Cui.
I read that you directed some commercials for Outer Banks Season 4. How did that come about? It was just an idea I had with the director about JJ’s charter service, because they had a phone number. I was like, “It’d be funny if you do one of those commercials for it.” He was like, “You should pitch that to Netflix. I’m sure they’d let you do it.” So I wrote six commercials, and I condensed them to three, pitched them to Netflix with a pitch deck, we set our budget, and were like, “Hey, this would be really cool to do. I think the fans would enjoy something like this. It’s funny. It’s on-brand for the character.” They agreed. We shot that on a Sunday, got all the Pogues to read off their input on what would be funny, and went in and shot it. I was so happy with the end result. It was how I envisioned it. There’s something cathartic about writing something with your friends in mind and doing it just like you thought it.
[Pope and Cleo] are my personal endgame.
What was it like to direct your co-stars? It wasn’t as much directing them, but giving them suggestions every once in a while. But they kind of knew. You act with people for so long, you know exactly what they’re going to do and you can plan around that. The first time they came on set, everybody was definitely like, “Oh, director!” because they’re your friend and they gotta give you a little bit. But the whole thing almost made me cry and tear up watching it happen. I want to direct and continue to do films and shorts.
Could you see yourself directing an episode in Season 5? If they call me tomorrow, I’d do it. Even if they say no, I’m gonna let them know I want to.
Photographer: George Chinsee. Design: Stephanie Cui.
Do you have any behind-the-scenes stories from doing stunts on the show? There was one time that was really funny where we were in Barbados, and we’re on a little raft. Carlacia Grant, bless her heart, was a rookie—a freshman, as I called her at the time. She brought her phone with her on the raft, which is a big no-no for anybody who knows. You leave your phone on the main boat and come get it when you’re done. She was like, “No, I have a waterproof bag.” I told her to leave her phone. She did not, and so she dunks herself in the water like everyone else, but she goes too far, and she flips over into the water, and her phone falls out of her pocket and into the middle of the ocean. She’s like, “No!” She tried to jump in the water. We’re like, “Lacey…” What you don’t understand about water is, when you’re in a boat, if you drop something, it’s miles away before you even look up. She found it on her little app way out there in the middle of the ocean. But she lost it forever. That was her welcome to the OBX moment.
Are there any roles that people would be surprised you’ve auditioned for? I was almost in Creed with Michael B Jordan. I read for the first Spider-Man movie. I read for Peter’s friend, Ned. I’ve been trying to wait for Miles Morales. They’re not doing Miles yet, I promise you. Because if they did, I would be at Sony headquarters in a heartbeat like, “Let me audition.” I wanted that Transformers movie that Anthony Ramos did. But other than that, you take what you’re given. You keep moving.
Outer Banks Season 4, Part 2 premieres on November 7, 2024.
Photographer: George Chinsee Graphic Designer: Stephanie Cui Stylist: Luca Kingston Grooming: Jessica Smalls
For those of us who love the glamor and the glitz of the entertainment industry, September passes by in a train of tulle and sartorial spectacle. Fashion weeks across New York, Paris, London, and Milan take the cake.
Packed front rows and celebrity-studded catwalks keep the internet entranced. From my couch – clad in my hole-ridden sweatpants – I judge couture and ready-to-wear fashion shows from the mega-brands and the sparkling stars who actually attend these exclusive events.
But to me, fashion week is just the punctuation to the summer film festival season. There’s the Tribeca Film Festival and Cannes, Toronto Film Festival, and Venice International Film Festival to name the heaviest hitters. Some films premiere across all these festivals; others are more selective. But each one has its headlines: the drawn-out standing ovations, the celebrity attendees, the future award winners.
Indeed, September marked the Venice Film Festival, one of the most anticipated film events of the year, and spawned some of the most talked about films of the year. The 2024 Venice Film Festival’s pomp and circumstance – arguably the film festival circuit’s glittering crown jewel – transforms the floating city into a playground for the cinematic elite.
Venice has long been the preferred launchpad for Oscar hopefuls and auteur passion projects alike. In recent years, Timothee Chalamet used it to flex his fashion prowess, the cast of The Idol used it to gaslight us into thinking it was going to be a good show (as we extensively reviewed: it wasn’t), and the Don’t Worry Darling cast played out their workplace drama for the world to see. This year was no exception. Lido was alight with couture gowns and paparazzi flashes, albeit a lot less drama and gossip to satiate us. So, rather than hashing out the latest cast feuds, let’s talk about the films.
What to watch at the Venice Film Festival 2024?
The 81st Venice International Film Festival is organized by La Biennale di Venezia and ran on the Lido di Venezia from 28 August to 7 September 2024. A parade of A-listers descended upon the city, ferried to Lido in glamorous water taxis to promote some of the films we’ll be seeing at award shows this year, and….some films that flopped.
Tilda Swinton and Julianne Moore – those chameleons of the silver screen – graced the red carpet for Pedro Almodóvar’s English-language debut, The Room Next Door, which ultimately snagged the coveted Golden Lion (Venice’s top prize). The ever-ethereal Nicole Kidman turned heads alongside her fresh-faced co-star Harris Dickinson after her turn in The Perfect Couple. Meanwhile, Daniel Craig proved he’s still got it, swapping his Bond tuxedo Loewe alongside new It Boy Drew Starkey in Luca Guadagnino’s “Queer.”
This year’s theatrics were at their peak – enough to manufacture and stoke social media chatter. And it worked. Brad Pitt and George Clooney played up their pairing’s nostalgia factor by chasing each other around the red carpet, reliving their youth but also relying on the reputations of their glory days. Luca Guadanino took a selfie with his absolutely stacked cast. Jenna Ortega looking fabulous in one of her gothic Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice outfits proved that thematic press tour dressing is far from dead.
But this year’s films were just as conversation-worthy. Let’s dive into the films that have everyone talking:
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice
Tim Burton returns to the 1988 classic that launched his career, reuniting with Michael Keaton and Winona Ryder while adding Gen Z darling – Jenna Ortega – to the mix. After her turn in Wednesday, Scream, and even the video for Sabrina Carpenter’s “Taste,” it’s clear that Ortega can handle horror – she’s a scream queen with the acting chops to back it up. The result is a nostalgic trip that manages to feel fresh, thanks in large part to Ortega’s deadpan charm (honed to perfection in Wednesday) as set in counterpoint to Keaton’s manic energy. It’s a welcome return to form for Burton. His triumphant release is a rare example of commercially and critically successful and was an energetic opening to the Festival.
Babygirl
The latest in the buzzy pantheon of female-driven age-gap dramas, Babygirl carves out a fresh niche for our darling Ms. Kidman. After her comic turn in A Family Affair, A24’s latest offering sees her playing an all-business CEO who becomes entangled with her much younger intern (Harris Dickinson). Fans of Triangle of Sadness, Scrapper, or The Iron Claw will recognize Dickinson and admire his remarkable range. It takes an impressive young actor to shine alongside Kidman but Dickinson is up for the task. Director Halina Reijn – fresh off her Gen Z slasher hit Bodies Bodies Bodies – brings a distinctly female gaze to the May-December romance trope. The result is a steamy, thought-provoking exploration of power dynamics that will have HR departments squirming in their seats.
The Room Next Door
Pedro Almodóvar ventures into English-language territory with this Golden Lion winner, proving that his particular brand of melodrama translates beautifully in any tongue. Based on Sigrid Nunez’s book What Are You Going Through, the film pairs Tilda Swinton and Julianne Moore, two of cinema’s most captivating chameleons. It follows a writer who reconnects with an old friend after years of distance in a tale of friendship, grief, and deep discussions about what it means to be a writer. It’s intimate and intellectual but feels accessible and human thanks to Almodóvar’s direction and the nuanced performances of these two powerhouse thespians.
Maria
This year’s Venice International Film Festival was a big one for shimmering stars of the silver screen. Angelina Jolie triumphed as opera legend Maria Callas, securing instant iconic status and positioning herself for Oscar recognition. The gravitas she lends to Pablo Larraín’s portrait of Callas reveals that Jolie’s side projects (like her fashion brand, Atelier Jolie) have not dampened her acting skills. Following in the footsteps of Natalie Portman’s Jackie and Kristen Stewart’s Spencer, Jolie disappears into the role of the troubled diva. Larraín’s dreamlike direction and Jolie’s raw performance make for a haunting exploration of fame, art, and the price of genius. When picking Jolie for the titular role, Larrain said he wanted an actress who would “naturally and organically be that diva,” and Jolie delivered with aching nuance. Oscar buzz is already building, and rightly so.
Queer
Speaking of actors challenging themselves, no one is in their comfort zone in Luca Guadagnino’s Queer. For this adaptation of William S. Burroughs’ semi-autobiographical novel, Guadagnino reunites with his A Bigger Splash star Ralph Fiennes and ropes in Daniel Craig. Craig shed his 007 persona entirely in order to play Lee – a Burroughs stand-in – as he navigates the seedy underbelly of mid-century Mexico City. It’s a mix between last year’s Venice darling Strange Way of Life by Pedro Almodóvar and Guadagnino’s famous Call Me By Your Name.Drew Starkey – of Outer Banks fame – is the object of his desire, with Guadagnino’s camera lingering on his lithe frame in a manner that would make even Timothée Chalamet blush. It also stars singer Omar Apollo in his first major acting role. Between unflinching sex scenes and luscious landscapes, it’s a heady blend of desire and ennui that solidifies Guadagnino’s place as cinema’s Yearner In Chief.
Disclaimer
Venice isn’t all movies. Some limited dramas also make their way to Lido. Two years ago, The Idol got the full Venice treatment, but we know how that went. Luckily, Alfonso Cuarón’s return to the festival circuit fared better. This twisty psychological thriller stars Cate Blanchett – last at Venice with Tar. This time, she plays a documentary filmmaker whose life unravels when a mysterious novel appears on her bedside table. As always, Blanchett is a force of nature, her icy exterior cracking as she realizes that she’s the subject of a book that will reveal her long-buried secrets. Cuarón proves he’s as adept at space epics as he is with intimate character studies, crafting a nail-biting exploration of truth, memory, and the stories we tell ourselves.
The Order
Starring Jude Law, Nicholas Hoult, Tye Sheridan, and Jurnee Smollett, The Order is a historical crime drama that plunges us into the action-packed world of counterfeiting operations, bank robberies, and armored car heists in the Pacific Northwest. Told through the eyes of the lead detective, these crimes are deemed acts of domestic terrorism, revealing the deep-seated hatred and violence in the United States. Inspired by the January 6 insurrection – when nooses were hung in front of the Capitol Building – this film references a fictional white nationalist insurrection that’s at the center of William Luther Pierce’s 1978 novel The Turner Diaries. Taking this hatred back to its roots, The Order explores how these same psychologies have been buried in the US consciousness for decades.
Joe Alwyn, Taylor Swift’s ex-London Boy, sauntered through Venice alongside castmates Adrien Brody, Felicity Jones, Guy Pearce for Brady Corbet’s The Brutalist. This sprawling epic follows a Hungarian immigrant architect (Brody) navigating love, loss, and artistic integrity. Initially forced to toil in poverty, he soon wins a contract that changes the course of his life for the next 30 years. Clocking in at a hefty three-and-a-half hours, it’s not for the faint of heart. But those who stick with it will be richly rewarded with a deeply felt meditation on the American Dream and the cost of creation. Corbet’s ambition is a labor of love, as his official statement expresses how he spent “the better part of a decade revving the engine to bring this particular story to life.” His toiling is definitely worth it.
Joker: Folie à Deux
Closing Venice was the ambitious, melodramatic Jukebox musical Joker: Folie à Deux. It’s the polarizing sequel to the controversial original, and although everyone’s talking about it — no one can make up their minds about whether or not it’s good. Todd Phillips returns to Gotham, bringing Lady Gaga along for the ride as Harley Quinn to Joaquin Phoenix’s Joker. The addition of musical numbers is either a stroke of genius or a bridge too far, depending on who you talk with. Phoenix and Gaga commit fully to the madness, their chemistry undeniable even as the plot threatens to buckle under the weight of its own ambition.
This is a swing for the fences that doesn’t always connect, but you have to admire the creative audacity. Gaga is electric, though you can’t help but wonder if her talents are wasted in this convoluted film that, just like the original, isn’t always sure what it’s trying to say.
As the curtain falls on another Venice Film Festival, one thing is clear: cinema is alive and well, continuing to push boundaries and provoke thought even in the face of industry upheaval. Whether these films will stand the test of time remains to be seen, but for now, they’ve given us plenty to chew on as we sail away from the Lido and into the heart of awards season.
Before you come at me: I’ve seen the thirst trap TikToks about Drew Starkey as the erratic Rafe in Netflix’s Outer Banks. I know he’s been White Boy of the Month for a select group since 2020.
Sure, Outer Banks has a cast of overly attractive adults playing teenagers ripping off The Goonies. It’s terrific television due to how outrageously good-looking the cast is…and every viewer has their own personal favorite.
For many, that is Drew Starkey’s reckless, violent and unstable Rafe Cameron. If you search “Rafe Cameron edit” on TikTok, there are a multitude of videos with millions of likes. His Outer Banks clips alone have been repurposed and replayed billions of times.
While Drew Starkey made a name for himself as a heartthrob in the industry, he’s on his way to becoming a serious actor. This time, he’s in the same league as Daniel Craig in Luca Guadagnino’s Queer.
The film — which received a nine-minute standing ovation at this year’s Venice Film Festival — is the most daring movie of either actor’s career. Famous for his portrayal of LGBTQ relationships, Guadagnino’s Call Me By Your Name is a highly regarded film for this generation.
You already know who Daniel Craig — AKA 007 — is…but with the serious buzz around Starkey, everyone’s wondering: who the hell is he and — more importantly — is he single?
What is Queer About?
Queer is a historical romance drama that follows American expat — William Lee — in 1940s Mexico City as he falls in love with a younger man — Eugene Allerton. The film is based on a short novel that was written in the 50s by William S. Burroughs and published in 1985.
The book is semi-autobiographical and tracks Lee as he travels through South America and Mexico in search of sexual gratification and drugs. Lee — played by Daniel Craig — grows infatuated with fellow drug-addict, Allerton, who is played by Starkey.
It’s a complex, controversial novel for many reasons: mainly being that the novel came out during the rampantly homophobic 80s. This won’t be an easy love story to consume by any means.
The film debuted at Venice Film Festival on September 3, 2024 to rave reviews. Many are saying it’s the best performance from either actor. And there’s already Oscar buzz for Craig.
As the film ended in Venice, Guadagnino was met with chants of “Luca! Luca!” His recent success with Challengers starring Zendaya, Josh O’Connor, and Mike Faist was another amazing homoerotic blockbuster.
But there’s another pressing fact that’s becoming increasingly prevalent: Drew Starkey is about to become the people’s princess.
If you thought the thirst traps were bad when Drew Starkey starred as deranged sociopath Rafe Cameron…wait till you see Eugene Allerton in Queer.
The ladies have been swooning over his red carpet outfits, his press circuit quips, and steamy photos of him during this era. And while the film’s release date has not yet been set, I’m sure theaters will be packed.
His appearance at Venice Film Festival already stirred up internet memes, with his blue suit giving people PTSD flashbacks to last year’s Harry Styles — Don’t Worry, Darling — SpitGate drama.
He has all the makings for the next Hollywood heartthrob that we’ve been yearning for. Yes, Brad Pitt may be old and a terrible person…but there is a whole new wave of young, handsome actors to usher in.
So, while we gear up for the Drew Starkey inevitable renaissance, let’s answer the question we’re all here for:
Is Drew Starkey Single?
People ship the entire Outer Banks cast together…but don’t let it confuse you. Essentially, no one in the cast is dating in real life anymore.
Since his 2022 appearance in Hellraiser, Starkey has been linked to fellow co-star Odessa A’Zion. With multiple Instagram appearances on each other’s accounts, it looked like the pair were an item….until recently.
Neither A’Zion nor Starkey had confirmed their relationship in the first place…so fans are safe to assume that Drew Starkey is single until proven otherwise.
Chicamacomico Banks Fire & Rescue in North Carolina issued the first warning about the fallen house early Tuesday, May 28.
Facebook screengrab
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.
“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.
Mark Price is a National Reporter for McClatchy News. He joined the network of newspapers in 1991 at The Charlotte Observer, covering beats including schools, crime, immigration, LGBTQ issues, homelessness and nonprofits. He graduated from the University of Memphis with majors in journalism and art history, and a minor in geology.
Hilary Graf’s beach house in Rodanthe, which is experiencing heavy erosion, but remains solid while she broadcasts her faith into the sea.
Josh Shaffer
RODANTHE
In this ocean-battered town, where houses sometimes slip into the waves, Hilary Graf can see the wrath of Neptune from a front-row seat.
Out her front door, the Outer Banks wash away like chalk on the sidewalk, eroding so fast that utility pipes jut from the sand. Just down the street, the surf pounds directly under tall vacation homes.
But Graf feels no fear from her perch on this magical coastline, and she shows it by blasting a defiant noise at the sea. For the past two years, she has warded off danger with the sound of a shofar and a roaring lion, played loud enough to make evil sea spirits plug their ears.
“It sounds like we’re killing cats,’ “ she said. “We’re just scaring away waves.”
Hilary Graf on the deck of her beach house in Rodanthe, where she plays a shofar and lion’s roar recording to ward off the encroaching waves. Courtesy of Hilary Graf
For many months, homeowners along the narrow strip of barrier island have contemplated expensive relocations, including Raleigh attorney and Player’s Retreat owner Gus Gusler, who told The Washington Post, “This is our last stand.”
But Graf, a grandmother who trades time between Rodanthe and Virginia, feels little such dread.
“Of course, the beach looks terrible,” she said. “But that’ll come back. It’s not a war in Ukraine. Nobody got hurt.”
Shofar and lion via YouTube
Without delving too deeply, the shofar is a curly, hollowed-out horn most often blown during Jewish rituals, especially Rosh Hashanah. But increasingly, the ram’s horn is used by evangelical Christians and sometimes for right-wing political purposes.
In a similar vein, the lion is traditionally associated with the tribe of Judah, a symbol of bravery and strength, but is often interpreted by Christians as a sign of the second coming.
The town of Rodanthe faces aggressive beach erosion that has already taken multiple houses. These few, seen from the pier, sit a few houses down from Hilary Graf’s house, where she wards off the waves with the sound of a shofar and roaring lion. Josh Shaffer
For Graf, who described herself as a Christian, loudly playing the two of them combined through a YouTube video is both call for kindness from the ocean and a demonstration of faith her family will come through.
“To me, it’s a sound of victory,” she said. “It’s putting out there that I put my hope and trust in the Lord.”
‘I’m not the crazy neighbor anymore’
Not long ago, Graf heard that Outer Banks pastors around Rodanthe were blowing shofars at the bridges on both ends of their island.
“So I’m not the crazy neighbor anymore,” she said.
At the very least, Graf’s musical defense against beach erosion can draw attention.
My friends and I heard the sound on a fishing trip and thought enough to ask about it on the Rodanthe Pier, thinking someone was holding regular bagpipe practices. Then, hearing from locals that it aimed to frighten off ocean malevolence, we thought to knock on Graf’s door and ask.
I suspect the remedy for Rodanthe’s vanishing coastline will require a more scientific approach, or at least one involving large piles of government cash.
But I like the idea of ocean deities retreating from the sounds of steadfastness on shore, making for the dark and deep water, letting the gentle waves return.
Related stories from Charlotte Observer
Josh Shaffer is a general assignment reporter on the watch for “talkers,” which are stories you might discuss around a water cooler. He has worked for The News & Observer since 2004 and writes a column about unusual people and places.
Duck, NC was named one of the best beach towns on the East Coast by Travel + Leisure.
Courtesy of Outer Banks Visitors Bureau
It’s no secret that the Carolinas are home to several popular beaches that draw in travelers from all over the world, and a new report reveals which ones are the best along the East Coast.
Ahead of another sunny summer season, Travel + Leisure released a list of the 12 best beach towns from “the rocky shoreline of New England down to the flat beaches of the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida.”
Of all the beloved coastal getaways on the Eastern Seaboard, only three in North and South Carolina made the list.
Shameless plug: While you’re here, have you told us your favorite Carolinas beach town for our annual CharlotteFive summer guide? In the meantime, here’s more about Travel + Leisure’s favorites:
Duck, NC
Ranked no. 7, the town of Duck is Dare County’s northernmost community located in the Outer Banks.
“With one of the best beaches in North Carolina, this is the type of town where you can really kick back and take it easy,” the report says. “If you prefer to spend your vacation days on the move, take a spin around the beach town on a bike (you can rent one from Duck Cycle), head out on the water with Nor’ Banks Sailing & Watersports, or get your steps in while exploring the Duck Town Park and Boardwalk.”
Aside from its beaches, maritime forests, wetlands, and dunescapes, the northernmost town also has an 11 acre park, trail, several outdoor recreational activities, watersports, art galleries, festivals, concerts and more. (Fun fact: Duck is also the birthplace of the iconic Duck Donuts.)
Sullivan’s Island, SC
Beachgoers walk the broad expanse of the Sullivan’s Island beach front as kiteboarder’s sails fly in the distance. JASON LEE JASON LEE
Following Duck on the list is South Carolina’s Sullivan’s Island, ranked as the 8th best beach town on the East Coast.
“Just a short drive from downtown Charleston, the 2.5-mile-long island is a local favorite, thanks to its proximity, easy beach access, and number of incredible restaurants — including The Obstinate Daughter, Sullivan’s Fish Camp, and Poe’s Tavern,” Travel + Leisure’s report says. “Pro tip: Rent a bike from Sealand Adventure Sports to explore both Sullivan’s Island and neighboring Isle of Palms.”
Home to about 2,000 residents, Sullivan’s Island is a 2.5 mile long barrier island nestled near the entrance of the Charleston Harbor where you can go kayaking, fishing, paddle boarding and more.
Hilton Head Island, SC
Hilton Head Island is located in the Lowcountry about an hour outside of Savannah, Georgia. The Town of Hilton Head
Further down south, you can find the other Palmetto State destination boasted as one of the best beach towns on the coast, Hilton Head Island.
“If you’ve traveled to Hilton Head Island even just once, you know it’s the kind of destination that feels like home the moment you arrive; it’s just that special,” the report says. “An easy weekend trip from Savannah, this part of the Lowcountry boasts more than 12 miles of sandy beaches, 30 golf courses, and endless ways to spend a long, leisurely day. Watch the boats arrive at Shelter Cove Harbour & Marina, learn about the island’s history from a Gullah Heritage Trail Tours guide, search out dolphins with Dolphin Discoveries Nature Tours, or pick up fresh seafood at Hilton Head Farmers Market.”
Located about an hour outside of Savannah, Georgia, Hilton Head is a popular small beach town with a lot of indoor and outdoor activities, watersports and more.
Of the 12 best beach towns on the East Coast, Kennebunkport, Maine ranked at the top of Travel + Leisure’s list. You can find the full report of top-rated destinations online at www.travelandleisure.com.
Related stories from Charlotte Observer
Chyna Blackmon is a service journalism reporter for The Charlotte Observer. A native of the Carolinas, she grew up in Columbia, SC, and graduated from Queens University of Charlotte. She’s also worked in local television news in Charlotte, NC, and Richmond, VA. Support my work with a digital subscription
Outer Banks Boil Company of Corolla Earns Tripadvisor’s Best of the Best Honor, Ranking #1 in the U.S. and #6 in the World for Family-Friendly Dining
COROLLA, N.C., November 8, 2023 (Newswire.com)
– Outer Banks Boil Company, an experience-driven, seafood takeout and catering company that specializes in signature seafood boils, has been awarded Tripadvisor’s highest honor: the Traveler’s Choice Best of the Best Award. According to the travel giant’s website, the Corolla location has been ranked as the #1 Family-Friendly Dining Restaurant in America and ranks at an even more impressive #6 in the world.
“We are stoked to be recognized by Tripadvisor as the #1 family-friendly restaurant in the U.S. and #6 in the whole world. All thanks to our customers who wrote such incredible reviews about their experience and the entire Corolla team for their amazing work and consistent commitment to excellence.
“Just over 10 years ago, we started this business with one goal in mind: to make more than meals, but memories for each and every family we have the opportunity to serve. Outer Banks Boil Company was built to replicate a family beach tradition and to this day, we honor that foundation as we have become tradition for countless families over the years.
“This award is a true TEAM accomplishment and testament to our shared goal of always delivering quality ingredients, unreasonable hospitality and a unique dining EXPERIENCE to each and every family we serve,” remarks founder Matt Khouri.
In 2012, founder Matt Khouri had just graduated from the Cameron School of Business at UNCW with a desire to implement his senior-project business plan in the Outer Banks. Despite the fact that the “business plan” received a “C” from his professor, Khouri was undeterred. Working from his apartment and swapping favors to get kitchen space in other local restaurants, all while juggling three part-time jobs, Khouri’s plan was taking off. Word spread and demand for the Outer Banks Boil Company experience grew, so Khouri opened the Corolla location in 2016.
Tripadvisor, the world’s largest travel guidance platform helps hundreds of millions of people each month become better travelers, from planning to booking to taking a trip. Travelers across the globe use the Tripadvisor site and app to discover where to stay, what to do and where to eat based on guidance from those who have been there before. With more than eight billion reviews and opinions of nearly eight million businesses, travelers turn to Tripadvisor.
About Outer Banks Boil Company
Outer Banks Boil Company is a unique seafood catering and take out concept that creates a fun dining experience that gathers people around the table to enjoy a delicious and perfectly prepared signature seafood boil as an alternative to the traditional restaurant experience. The brand currently has 11 locations in North Carolina, Maryland, Virginia, and Florida.
I’m at that point in life where I’m re-watching my favorite comfort shows for the zillionth time because nothing else is on. All of the shows I watch aren’t currently airing, and quite frankly, I’m bored. I can essentially quote New Girl word-for-word now because of this agonizing lull.
And while Zooey Deschanel is never the wrong choice, I’m already counting down the days until I have something new to watch. There are plenty of good shows in existence, but when it takes Euphoria three years to create a new season…times get tough.
Luckily enough for me – and the rest of the world – there have been a few recent announcements that have restored my faith in the streaming service gods. The TV networks have seen me re-watch Ted Lasso for the umpteenth time and decided it’s finally time to give me a new season. We can collectively release a sigh of relief.
HBO Max, Apple TV+, Netflix, and more have been slowly announcing their upcoming shows for spring 2023 and I’m finally feeling better. I can feel myself being released from the grip of excessive reality television as we speak. I’ve even been watching countless re-runs of Degrassi (which is Drake at his best, by the way).
If you’re feeling a little uninspired, underwhelmed, and burnt out from browsing Hulu’s main page for a show to stick out – same. But there’s hope on the horizon. Here are the best shows to stream this spring across all platforms:
Ted Lasso – Apple TV+, March 15
With 40 Emmy nominations and 11 wins, the accolades speak for themselves. Ted Lasso follows Jason Sudeikis as the title character throughout his time coaching AFC Richmond soccer as an American football coach. With lovable characters like Roy Kent (Brett Goldstein) and Rebecca (Hannah Waddingham), it’s hard not to become obsessed with the show.
Everyone loves a good underdog story, and this one is no exception. This season’s dilemma? How will Coach Nate coaching Rupert’s team affect AFC Richmond’s future?
Succession – HBO Max, March 26
Another huge contender at the Emmy’s: HBO Max’s Succession. It’s a drama series reminiscent of the Murdaugh family, with Logan Roy (Brian Cox) heading the media conglomerate Waystar Royco. Although his retirement is ever-looming, his children Kendall (Jeremy Strong), Roman (Kieran Culkin), and Shiv (Sarah Snook) are constantly competing for a spot at the head of the table.
Viewers go insane for the relationship between Cousin Greg (Nicholas Braun) and Tom Wambsgans (Matthew Macfadyen), but season four is going to be explosive considering all of the children are in their “Reputation Era” of sorts.
Quarterback – Netflix
Announcing Quarterback, a docu-series following the 2022 NFL season through the eyes of @KirkCousins8 , Marcus Mariota, and MVP and Super Bowl champ @PatrickMahomes!
Unprecedented access and for the first time ever players are mic’d up for every game! Premieres this summer. pic.twitter.com/VKC39Vy5fi — Netflix (@netflix) February 22, 2023
Netflix just announced they’re releasing Quarterback, which follows three QBs in the NFL during the 2022 season. Patrick Mahomes (Kansas City Chiefs), Marcus Mariota (Atlanta Falcons), and Kirk Cousins (Minnesota Vikings) were mic’d up each game and are now giving fans the most intimate look into the season.
Since there are a little under 200 days until we see the next snap of a football, Quarterback will be a great placeholder. Fans of the game will have a chance to see some of the league’s most exciting quarterbacks in action like they’ve never seen before.
It feels like Penn Badgley becomes the most viral person on the internet whenever a new season of You premieres. The newest installment of the Netflix series has been divided in two parts. The first is out now, and the next comes out March 9.
We are finally seeing Joe get a taste of his own medicine. In a Knives Out-style who-dunnit, Joe is surrounded by a group of rich elite in England and someone is out to get him. With rising stars like Lukas Gage (Euphoria, White Lotus), I’m anticipating big things from part two.
Brace yourselves. Soon everyone will be back trying to mold themselves into a John B derivative. Outer Banks is back for another season of rewriting The Goonies and us eating it up. Chase Stokes, Madelyn Cline, Rudy Pankow, Drew Starkey, Madison Bailey, and Jonathon Daviss will take up our social media from here on out.
Netflix knows they have a grip on the TikTok community with this show, so I can only imagine there will be lots of thirst-trap-worthy clips, a run-in with the police and the Kooks, and a plethora of bandanas tied around the neck. The Outer Banks, paradise on Earth.
Daisy Jones & The Six – Amazon Prime Video, March 3
If you know me, you know I’ve been anticipating this show for almost a year now. One of my favorite books of all time by Taylor Jenkins Reid has been turned into an Amazon Prime miniseries. If you’re a fan of Fleetwood Mac and 70’s rock and roll, this show will give you your fix.
With a star-studded cast featuring Riley Keough (Elvis’ granddaughter), Suki Waterhouse, Sam Claflin, and Camila Morrone, I expect nothing less than excellence. Keough and Claflin play TJR’s version of Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham, as the show follows the tumultuously talented band looking back on their prime years.
MIAMI, September 29, 2017 (Newswire.com)
– North Carolina is beautiful any time of the year, but especially so during fall. Explore the Appalachians to the Outer Banks. North Carolina has some of the highest mountain peaks in the eastern U.S. and 482 kilometers of shoreline.
It’s home to hundreds of waterfalls, two national forests and dozens of lakes, rivers and streams. A true four-season state, six weeks’ worth of foliage dapples the mountain region each year. Drive the Blue Ridge parkway, sample quality time in a quaint town, or eat your heart out with barbecue, biscuits and gravy.
What else is there to do? Explore the breathtaking views the range offers while hiking, camping, rafting or zip lining. Along the coast, make time to relax or find adventure. Dive into water sports, including kiteboarding, surfing, stand-up paddle boarding or kayaking. Climb historic lighthouses or aboard a historic battleship.
When to Go to North Carolina
Because the state’s climate is affected by altitude, when you visit North Carolina depends entirely on where you are going. The Gulf Stream keeps temperatures mild in the Southern coastal areas, while the cold Labrador Current from the North can make the state’s Northern area quite cold and snowy in winter.
One of the best parts about visiting North Carolina in the fall is that you can find great deals on vacation home rentals, beach houses, and cabins. Whether you are looking for Outer Banks vacation rentals, Surf City vacation rentals, or Charlotte vacation rentals, HomeEscape has affordable options. HomeEscape allows guests to book rentals directly from owners, without booking fees or processing fees.
Where to Go in North Carolina
So now that you know that North Carolina is the place to be, where exactly should you visit? HomeEscape has some of the most beautiful vacation home rentals and cabins in the state, check out some of these cities to make the most of your vacation: Surf City, Franklin, North Topsail Beach, Asheville, Charlotte, and Outer Banks to name a few.
Asheville is a great place to visit on vacation. Nestled in the western mountains of North Carolina, Asheville’s reputation as an alternative mountain hideaway precedes itself. Come for the scenery, and stay for the food. Book a private Asheville vacation rental for a comfortable and relaxing stay.
Asheville has some of the best vacation rentals in North Carolina, perfect for you to spread out and relax with your family. Whether you want a large home to center activities in or a small cabin for a romantic getaway, Asheville is the place to go.
Franklin, North Carolina has some of the most beautiful cabins and lodges on the east coast. Not to mention, Franklin has the honor of being the gem capital of the world – so put your mining boots on! Families can enjoy the mountains and nearby hiking trails in Franklin. So unplug, and enjoy the great outdoors! Use HomeEscape to find great deals on Franklin, North Carolina cabin rentals.
Come to the Outer Banks for a relaxing family vacation on the beach. The Outer Banks has been enjoying unseasonably warm fall weather, so now is a perfect time to enjoy the waves while also benefiting from autumn vacation rental prices.
About HomeEscape: HomeEscape connects homeowners and property managers with travelers who seek the space, value and amenities of vacation rental homes as an alternative to hotels. With detailed property descriptions, photos and list of amenities and nearby attractions, HomeEscape makes it easy to find and compare properties all over the world.
