On Tuesday, five houses in Buxton, North Carolina, collapsed into the Atlantic Ocean due to storm-driven surf caused by Hurricane Humberto and Tropical Storm Imelda. Cape Hatteras National Seashore confirmed that all homes were unoccupied, preventing any casualties. The collapse occurred over 45 minutes between 2:00 p.m. and 2:45 p.m.
Reporter Alex Littlehales of 13News Now witnessed the first house fall, followed quickly by the other four. The affected properties were located at:
- 46001 Cottage Avenue
- 46002 Cottage Avenue
- 46007 Cottage Avenue
- 46209 Tower Circle Road
- 46211 Tower Circle Road
“It was shocking to witness five houses vanish within minutes,” Littlehales said, highlighting the relentless pounding of the waves.
Five homes in Buxton, NC collapsed into the Atlantic due to Hurricane Humberto & Tropical Storm Imelda. No injuries reported. Residents urged to stay clear of debris.#buxton #outerbanks #hurricane pic.twitter.com/u3dxzijNFN
— LoudFact (@loudfactcom) September 30, 2025
Safety Alerts and Coastal Closures
The Cape Hatteras National Seashore has closed the beach from northern Buxton through off-road vehicle ramp 43, warning residents and visitors to avoid debris-laden areas. Officials stressed that collapsed materials pose severe hazards.
The 13News Now Weather Team issued Weather Impact Alerts for Tuesday and Wednesday, warning of continuing strong surf and dangerous waves across the Outer Banks.
“This is part of a recurring pattern,” said meteorologist Sarah Gaines. “The Outer Banks’ barrier islands are extremely vulnerable to storm surge and wave action, especially during back-to-back hurricanes like Humberto and Imelda.”
This collapse is part of a larger trend. It marks the 13th to 17th home lost to the ocean in the Outer Banks over the past five years, including a Rodanthe home destroyed in November 2024.
Authorities Urge Vigilance
Officials continue monitoring threatened structures and providing updates on the Cape Hatteras National Seashore website. Residents are advised to remain alert as storms produce high swells and coastal flooding risks.
The event underscores the ongoing vulnerability of the Outer Banks’ barrier islands, emphasizing the importance of following safety advisories during hurricane season.
