A home in Rodanthe, N.C., has collapsed into the sea due to severe coastal erosion and rising sea levels, marking the sixth such incident in the past four years.
Brady Dennis reports for The Washington Post.
In short:
- An unoccupied home at 24131 Ocean Drive in Rodanthe collapsed around 2:30 a.m. Tuesday.
- Officials closed a one-mile stretch of beach to clean up debris, which poses hazards to the public.
- Rising sea levels and erosion have led to a rapid loss of homes along this part of the Outer Banks.
Key quote:
“Another one bit the dust. This situation will continue"
— David Hallac, superintendent of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore
Why this matters:
As waves chip away at the shoreline and tides inch higher, residents and officials face mounting pressure to adapt. For families and homeowners, it’s a stark reminder of the personal and financial stakes tied to environmental shifts. The convergence of natural forces and human settlement patterns is becoming an ever more pressing issue for policy makers, scientists, and advocates alike.
