Gone to Sea– a Tumultuous Fall on the Outer Banks

Usually referred to as “locals’ summer” for its gorgeous weather and minimal crowds, this autumn on the Outer Banks has been less than idyllic. The majority of August, September, and October saw strong northeast winds and heavy surf that battered the coastline and cancelled cabana setups and school days alike. 

The hardest hit has been felt down south on Hatteras Island, where a dizzying dozen oceanfront homes have collapsed into the sea in the past month alone. The homes, 11 located in Buxton and 1 in Rodanthe, were unoccupied. 

Photos and videos of the collapses in action and the resulting debris field strewn across the ocean’s surface have garnered thousands of comments in online posts. Many with condolences, but just as many with criticism for building so close to the ocean. Many of the homes that have gone in were far from the ocean when originally constructed and the comments sections are rife with commentary on climate change, environmental impact, and coastal erosion as well. 

In a social media post, Hatteras native and pro surfer Brett Barley poigniantly shared a friend’s perspective on the situation: “The majority of these homes were built by locals, they are maintained by locals, the visitors who come and stay in them support the local economy. They are more than ‘just someone’s rental property;’ they are part of this community regardless of who owns it. They have helped put food on the table for many families here over and over again.”  

Farmdog crew member and local photographer Mike Leech captured the photos in this blog post.