Overview
- The unoccupied, privately owned house on Tower Circle Road in Buxton became the 28th Outer Banks home to fall into the ocean since 2020 and the first reported collapse of 2026.
- Officials closed the beach in front of the village of Buxton due to hazardous debris and other structures at risk near the surf zone.
- A rapidly strengthening nor’easter delivered hurricane-force winds, rough surf and heavy snow across the Carolinas and Virginia, worsening beach erosion.
- Forecasters warn that 60–70 mph onshore gusts, high surf and ongoing erosion could trigger additional failures of vulnerable oceanfront houses.
- Sixteen collapses were recorded in Buxton and Rodanthe in September and October 2025, and FOX Weather previously documented one falling on live video.