MANTEO, N.C. — Another house in Rodanthe fell into the ocean early Friday morning, becoming the eighth to collapse in four years, the Cape Hatteras National Seashore said.
The collapse happened at 23001 Ga Kohler Court. Seashore officials strongly urge all visitors to avoid the beaches and stay out of the water around all areas of the beaches and surf in Rodanthe. No one was inside the home at the time, and no injuries were reported.
A debris removal contractor, hired by the property owner, will start cleanup work Friday. Debris removal may also be conducted by National Park Service staff.
This most recent house collapse in Rodanthe is the third this year after another home fell into the Atlantic Ocean last month. David Montag was vacationing at a nearby home when he saw the home collapse late Thursday evening.
"It was crazy. I've never seen anything like it. The power of the ocean is amazing. It was just picking up the house and shoving it into the little house,” Montag said.
David Hallac, Superintendent of Cape Hatteras National Seashore, said debris from the collapse spread for five miles down the beach. He notes the latest OBX house collapse isn't isolation but part of a broader issue that’s continuing to challenge homeowners and officials in this area.
"We have a very high erosion rate in this area and it undermines the pilings and eventually causes them to collapse and fall down,” Hallac said. "The houses could be moved or removed. But to be fair, that's a very costly endeavor for the homeowners.”
With fewer houses standing on the shore as the months go by, officials with Hatteras National Park and Dare County said the remaining homes on this street are abandoned and acknowledge it's not a matter of if they fall into the Atlantic Ocean but when.
Most insurance plans force homeowners to wait until their house collapses to receive a payout. North Carolina Congressman Greg Murphy is looking to change that.
In a statement provided to 13 News Now, he said: "The fact that homeowners have to wait until their property falls into the ocean before they can utilize the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) is ridiculous. Every additional home that is swept into the sea understandably concerns individuals who want to see action be taken. I continue to advocate vigorously in Congress for My Prevent Environmental Hazards Act which would allow folks insured by the NFIP to act before an emergency occurs. This is better for those with at-risk homes, and would save taxpayer dollars and protect the environment."