Rodanthe, North Carolina: Beach House Swept Away by Hurricane Ernesto

Intense Weather Event

In a dramatic turn of events, a beach house in Rodanthe, North Carolina collapsed and was swept out to sea on Friday as Hurricane Ernesto barreled toward the coast. The incident took place at the Cape Hatteras National Seashore, an area known for its ongoing struggles with beach erosion.

Video Capture

Wild footage shows the brown two-story structure being dragged into the ocean, with onlookers reacting in disbelief. “Oh, my God. Oh, my God!” one person exclaimed as the foundations gave way to the powerful surge of water driven by Ernesto.

Construction and Damage

The elevated beach-style home, which was built on pilings to withstand such natural forces, succumbed as the aggressive tide surged past its property line. Debris from the destroyed house floated beside it, while other pieces were scattered for hundreds of feet along the shoreline. Experts believe that most of the wreckage may have been carried out to sea, potentially over a dozen miles from the collapse site.

Further Escalation of Risks

As forecasts project Hurricane Ernesto to strengthen over the weekend, officials are concerned that Rodanthe may face additional home collapses in the coming days. Local fire rescue services have warned that “there are many other homes at risk” due to the anticipated swell that is expected to peak on Saturday and Sunday.

Community Safety Measures

Residents and visitors have been urged to practice caution and avoid entering the ocean, as conditions are expected to worsen. Fortunately, no injuries were reported as no one was inside the house when it collapsed.

Historical Context

This unfortunate event marks the seventh house to collapse along the Seashore in the last four years, with two homes previously succumbing to the elements on the same day in May 2022. The ongoing acceleration of beach erosion can be attributed to a combination of rising sea levels, intense storms, and naturally occurring tides.

Access Restrictions

Due to the hazardous conditions posed by Hurricane Ernesto, authorities have temporarily closed access to affected beach areas as they monitor the situation and manage debris that may wash ashore.