Outer Banks Battles Erosion as Homes Teeter on Edge of Collapse

Outer Banks Faces Dilemma as Erosion Threatens Homes

Welcome to Outer Banks, North Carolina—an area known for its stunning coastlines, charming beach homes, and a lifestyle that embodies the essence of seaside living. However, recent events have cast a dark shadow over this picturesque place. As erosion, high winds, and king tides wreak havoc, homes in the community are caught in a battle against nature.

Homes on the Brink

Last Friday, Drone 5 took to the skies and provided a view that no one wanted to see—video footage of homes in Rodanthe teetering on the edge of collapse. The drone footage revealed alarming scenes: cracked septic systems leaking waste into the Atlantic, and one home’s deck precariously buckling as it dangled into the ocean. The situation has become critical, as the likelihood of homes falling into the briny depths is becoming uncomfortably real.

Sharon Troy’s Family Struggles

In the heart of this turmoil is Sharon Troy, who has been proud to call her oceanfront property in Rodanthe home for the past 16 years. When they purchased the house, it had a grand expanse of beach—a whole “football field” worth of sandy paradise behind it. Today, that very beach is a distant memory, with the home practically submerged in the ocean waters. “So many people say hateful things [and] ask why we built our house in the middle of the ocean,” Troy shared, clearly distressed. “It was not like this when we bought it.”

Hope for the Community

The Troy family isn’t wealthy; they’re regular folks trying their best to make ends meet in these challenging circumstances. “We can’t afford to move it. There is nowhere to move it,” she lamented. Insurance, as is often the case, adds another layer of frustration—no payouts until the home is officially declared a ‘loss’. Meanwhile, the community has rallied around the Troy family, helping to clear debris from their deck that was ripped away by the unforgiving ocean. “We’re trying to be proactive [and] take care of our homes,” Troy told reporters.

Collapse Is a Growing Concern

In the past four years alone, seven homes in Rodanthe have collapsed into the sea, according to the National Park Service, leaving many in the community feeling on edge. Mark Gray from WM Dunn Construction echoed these sentiments, stating his company has been engaged in the cleanup of several homes in recent years. “When it’s rough like this, like when the last one went in, we had to clean 11 miles of beach,” Gray explained, illustrating the scale of the challenge they face.

Searching for Solutions

As nature’s fury continues to reshape the area, the effects are becoming more extreme. “Overnight, the beach is gone; two, three, four feet of sand [is] completely gone,” Gray noted. “It’s changed the whole dynamics of this thing.” Even streets have suffered, with saltwater flooding in some areas, complicating living conditions for residents. Gray and his team are now preparing more equipment to deal with potential collapses, but there are increasing concerns over how to clean up once these homes succumb to the ocean.

The Bigger Picture: Climate Change

Superintendent of Cape Hatteras National Seashore, Dave Hallac, pointed towards a more significant threat—climate change. He remarked that rising sea levels are worsening the natural erosion faced by barrier islands, putting homes at even greater risk. “When you add a foot of water or two feet of water, that just makes everything worse,” Hallac stated. The challenge isn’t just local; it’s a reminder of the broader issues caused by climate change impacting coastal regions everywhere.

As the Outer Banks grapple with these daunting challenges, the community remains resilient, searching for hope as they face an uncertain future. The Troy family and their neighbors illustrate a heartfelt struggle, one that many can empathize with. Let’s hope for better days ahead as they navigate this precarious journey.