RODANTHE, N.C. – Two homes in Rodanthe, N.C., have collapsed, and according to the Cape Hatteras National Seashore organization, this isn’t the first time this has happened - and it may not be the last, either.
Reports of the collapse at 24235 Ocean Drive were confirmed by the Cape Hatteras National Seashore in the early morning of May 10. Beaches in Rodanthe have been closed to protect the public from hazards associated with the home and the dangerous weather surrounding it.
Related: Cape Hatteras National Seashore warns visitors of beach debris from collapsed house
“Unfortunately, there may be more houses that collapse onto Seashore beaches in the near future,” said David Hallac, superintendent, National Parks of Eastern North Carolina. “We proactively reached out to homeowners along Ocean Drive in Rodanthe after the first house collapse and recommended that actions be taken to prevent collapse and impacts to Cape Hatteras National Seashore.”
Cape Hatteras National Seashore says because there are additional homes in the area that may collapse, visitors should use caution when participating in recreational activities on the beach and in the ocean along Hatteras Island as debris from the collapsed home is being spread widely across the Seashore.
Shortly after the first collapse, another beach home collapsed in the area along Ocean Drive.
The National Park Service is cautioning visitors to stay out of the area along Ocean Drive, as the beach is closed. They're asked to avoid the areas where the homes have collapsed.
News 3 got hold of a video of the second home collapsing, captured by Eric Braojos. Take a look below to see another beach house in Rodanthe taken away by the waves.
Another video was captured by a nearby resident, Daniel Pullen:
According to the National Park Service, they have been in contact with the homeowners about issuing a permit so they can bring contractors onto the beach to clean things up. An organized volunteer beach clean-up event will likely happen in the upcoming days after the roads reopen.
News 3 reporter Angela Bohon spoke to the owner of a construction company set to do the cleanup. He said he can't down to the area with their trucks.
"Time is of the essence; it's an emergency contract." Typically, we have to be there within 24 hours of the collapse, but with this situation, with the roads being closed, we're not able to get there at this point," said Mike Dunn.
Powerful images show the ocean swallowing up one of the houses that Dunn is trying to keep from polluting the Atlantic.
A spokesperson with Cape Hatteras National Seashore said both houses were unoccupied.
We also spoke with a photographer, Jenni Koontz of Epic Shutter Photography, who says she's been documenting the first house for a few months.
“It’s just a really overwhelming and dramatic situation. But it does come with living here on the sandbar. You know, it’s shifting sand, and it’s bound to happen. So, it’s not really shocking that it’s happening, but it is shocking to watch," Koontz said.
One Virginia Beach man who's watched his Outer Banks home crumble into the water told us the insurance and cleanup have been painful. He and Koontz say they wouldn't be surprised if more houses collapse.
“There’s a lot of swell and wind, and it’s gotten higher each day of this Nor’easter," Koontz explained. "So, it’ll be interesting to see if only two houses fall in or if there’s more.”
Dunn, the owner of the construction company, said he's hoping to get down to the area Wednesday morning.
Cape Hatteras officials say they'll also be organizing a volunteer beach cleanup once it's safe and the roads have been reopened.
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