Coastal Erosion Threatens Family’s Beloved Beach House in Rodanthe, N.C.

Rodanthe, N.C. – A Beach House on the Brink

Rodanthe, a charming beach town in North Carolina, is known for its stunning coastlines and laid-back vibe. But for one family, it’s also a place filled with memories, especially those tied to their beloved beach house, “Vista Del Mar”. Russell Thurston reminisces about warm summer mornings as a child, when his grandmother would serve him hot cocoa in her colorful Crayola crayon mugs. “Even though it was summertime at the beach, I would have hot cocoa every morning that grandma would make,” he recalls fondly.

The Richards family built the beach house in 1992, a time when the sand dunes were lofty and stretched for yards before the cool ocean water could be reached. “There were at least 100 to 150 yards of beach back then, with two layers of sand dunes,” Thurston explained. “You had to go up a tall dune and then down to finally get to the water.”

Fast forward to today, and things have dramatically changed. The house now finds itself encroached upon by the ocean, with waves crashing at its very base each day. “It’s quite alarming,” Thurston admits. The family sold the house in the early 2000s, but they haven’t stopped thinking about it. “We’ve been keeping a close eye on the house over the years,” he adds. “It’s kind of been a game for us – will it still be there?”

The Ongoing Challenge of Coastal Erosion

Coastal erosion has become a pressing issue, especially as the Outer Banks transitions into the storm season. This month alone, the Cape Hatteras National Seashore has witnessed the unfortunate loss of yet another oceanfront house, the seventh since 2020. Dare County manager Bobby Outten highlights the severity of the matter: “We’ve had high seas and some wind, but we haven’t really had storms, and we’re seeing these problems more often.”

Erosion is an everyday reality for the county staff as they engage with homeowners and monitor the shoreline. Outten mentioned that while they are in continuous discussions with the homeowners, not everyone has been proactive about moving their structures. “Most homeowners understand the situation. The last house that fell had a contractor ready to go once it fell, and they cleared it away quickly,” he noted. However, preparing in advance before such collapses happen has proven to be more difficult.

Looking for Solutions

Both Dare County and the National Park Service are actively seeking solutions to this growing crisis. Outten emphasizes the necessity for funding sources to tackle the issue. “We have two options: either we remove the houses or we perform beach nourishment. In some cases, we might need to do both – all of which requires significant funding,” he explained. The ongoing search for financial resources to protect these homes is critical.

As the family reminisces about their cherished house, they recall afternoons sitting on the deck, savoring the salty ocean air and watching the waves. “She would have those ready for us when we walked up the stairs in the morning,” Thurston reflected with a smile. “It really was a dream.”

The Status of Vista Del Mar

As of late, “Vista Del Mar” has been closely monitored. Recently, the observation that the house’s deck has begun to teeter was alarming. Both Dare County and the Cape Hatteras National Seashore are committed to keeping an eye on this situation, among others. The future of many homes along this iconic stretch of coastline hangs in the balance as the community works together to preserve memories and find solutions for a rapidly changing environment.