Six homes destroyed by coastal flooding in Buxton, North Carolina
Dangerous coastal flooding from hurricanes Humberto and Imelda collapsed six oceanfront homes in Buxton, North Carolina, on September 30, 2025, with debris forcing beach closures and travel restrictions on NC12. Authorities warn of additional collapses as long-period swells continue.
Photo of collapsed house at 46007 Cottage Avenue, Buxton on September 30, 2025. Credit: Cape Hatteras National Seashore
Hurricanes Humberto and Imelda produced dangerous coastal flooding along the Outer Banks of North Carolina on Tuesday, September 30, destroying at least six unoccupied homes in Buxton.
According to Cape Hatteras National Seashore, five structures collapsed between 14:00 and 14:45 LT (18:00–18:45 UTC), prompting the closure of the beachfront from northern Buxton through off-road vehicle ramp 43.
A sixth home collapsed later in the evening at around 23:00 LT (03:00 UTC, October 1). This residence, located at 46203 Tower Circle Road, was built in 1984 and contained three bedrooms and two and a half baths.
The National Park Service will coordinate cleanup operations with owners once conditions allow. The beach in Buxton remains closed due to hazardous debris, and officials warn that additional collapses are possible in Buxton and Rodanthe during Wednesday’s high tide, October 1.
Raw drone video from my friend Brad showing the collapsed homes and resulting debris in Buxton, NC.
— Mark Sudduth (@hurricanetrack) September 30, 2025
Distant hurricanes Humberto and Imelda are sending a barrage of swells toward the coast – resulting in some overwash, road closures and these collapsed homes. @foxweather pic.twitter.com/lk1SDtjgAt
Tuesday’s incidents bring the total to seven oceanfront home collapses in Buxton within two weeks. Another residence at 46227 Tower Circle Road, built in 1976, fell on September 16. Since 2020, Hatteras Island has recorded 18 home collapses, including six in Rodanthe during 2024.
“For now, travel on NC12 on Hatteras Island should be avoided several hours before and after the upcoming high tides and please give way to the Road Pros as they work to keep NC12 safe,” Dare County Emergency Management Director Drew Pearson said.
Ocean overwash forced the North Carolina Department of Transportation to close NC12 at the north end of Ocracoke Island on September 30, immediately after the final ferry from Hatteras. The closure is expected to continue until at least October 2.
At 12:00 UTC on October 1, the center of Hurricane Imelda was located about 640 km (395 miles) west-southwest of Bermuda.
The system was moving east-northeast at 33 km/h (21 mph) with maximum sustained winds of 150 km/h (90 mph) and a minimum central pressure of 974 hPa.
Imelda is expected to strengthen near Category 2 intensity as it approaches Bermuda later today, bringing hurricane-force winds extending up to 95 km (60 miles) from the center and tropical-storm-force winds out to 370 km (230 miles).
Forecast impacts include 50–100 mm (2–4 inches) of rainfall, with potential for flash flooding, a dangerous storm surge capable of causing coastal flooding, and large, damaging waves.
Humberto’s center was located about 450 km (280 miles) NNW of Bermuda at 12:00 UTC today. Its maximum sustained winds were near 130 km/h (80 mph) with higher gusts. Slight weakening is possible today, but Humberto is expected to remain a powerful cyclone until it merges with a frontal boundary tonight.
Swells from both Imelda and Humberto are affecting Bermuda, the Bahamas, and the U.S. East Coast, generating life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.
Teo Blašković founded The Watchers in 2011 and edited it until 2026, covering seismic and volcanic activity, extreme weather, space weather and near-Earth objects. Articles on this page are his archive.
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