Houses threatened by coastal erosion in Rodanthe, North Carolina, have been demolished in a bid to prevent further properties from falling into the sea.

Footage from November 15 shows the demolition of the first of two imperilled houses located at 23292 and 23298 East Beacon Road.

At least a dozen more homes remain in serious danger of falling into the ocean.

Since 2020, five houses have collapsed in Rodanthe.

This footage was filmed and produced 15 November 2023.

In a proactive move to address the escalating risk of homes succumbing to coastal erosion along the Cape Hatteras National Seashore, the National Park Service (NPS) initiated a pilot program. Recently, the first of two imperiled oceanfront houses in Rodanthe, located at 23292 and 23298 East Beacon Road, was dismantled as part of this strategic effort.

Purchased by the NPS earlier this fall in collaboration with the National Park Trust and funding from the Land and Water Conservation Fund, the properties were acquired at fair market value, utilizing zero taxpayer dollars. The Land and Water Conservation Fund, derived from offshore oil and gas leasing, aims to support the NPS in achieving its natural, cultural, wildlife, and recreation management objectives.

These privately-owned oceanfront houses, typical of the Hatteras Island beaches, face elevated risks due to their exposure to ocean waters. Since 2020, five houses have collapsed in Rodanthe, prompting the NPS to collaborate with property owners, Dare County, and the State of North Carolina to develop effective solutions.

W.M. Dunn Construction LLC has been enlisted by the NPS to remove threatened structures from the East Beacon Road properties, with a focus on beach restoration over the next 30 days. The undertaking aims to safeguard the Cape Hatteras National Seashore while facilitating pedestrian access to the now-demolished lots. National Parks of Eastern North Carolina Superintendent David Hallac shared further insights in a press conference preceding the demolition.