In a stunning display of nature’s force, five unoccupied homes in the Outer Banks collapsed into the Atlantic Ocean on Tuesday afternoon as powerful swells from two offshore hurricanes battered North Carolina’s coast.

According to officials with Cape Hatteras National Seashore, the houses began collapsing just after 2 p.m. in Buxton and continued falling into the sea over a 45-minute span.

The homes—located at 46001, 46002, and 46007 Cottage Avenue and 46209 and 46211 Tower Circle Road—were all unoccupied at the time. No injuries have been reported.

National Park Service crews responded quickly, closing the entire beachfront from northern Buxton through off-road vehicle (ORV) ramp 43 for public safety. Visitors were urged to avoid the area and use extreme caution even miles south of the

See Full Page