Beach House Collapse in North Carolina's Outer Banks Caught on Video

Rough seas generated by Hurricane Ernesto led to the dramatic collapse of a house into the Atlantic Ocean in Rodanthe, North Carolina, on August 16. The unoccupied structure, located on the Cape Hatteras National Seashore, was seen being swept off its wooden foundation by powerful waves, with video footage capturing the moment of destruction. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, but officials noted that the incident marked the seventh home lost to the ocean in the area over the past four years. As Hurricane Ernesto moved away from Bermuda, it continued to impact the East Coast with strong winds and hazardous surf conditions. The National Park Service has urged visitors to avoid the beaches around Rodanthe, citing dangerous debris and damage to other homes in the vicinity. Public access to certain areas has been restricted as a coastal flooding advisory remains in effect for North Carolina’s Outer Banks. Experts attribute the house's collapse to a combination of high tides and the storm's swells, exacerbated by ongoing beach erosion linked to rising sea levels. The affected home had been a vacation rental until recently and was owned by a couple from Pennsylvania. Local officials are in contact with the property owner regarding debris removal, which is expected to take place once sea conditions improve. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the increasing risks posed by climate change, as Rodanthe's shoreline continues to erode, threatening more structures in the community of approximately 200 residents.