Recent Pennsylvania Beach Home Swept Into Ocean Causing Concern
Rodanthe, North Carolina – the coastal tranquility of North Carolina’s Outer Banks was shattered recently when a house, known to be owned by a Pennsylvania couple, was carried out to sea. This dramatic incident is not a lone incident; in fact, it was the seventh home in the area to be claimed by the ocean in as many years. The residence was located in the charming seaside village of Rodanthe, nestled between Cape Hatteras and Nags Head within the state’s Outer Banks barrier islands.
The Incident
A chilling video released by state emergency services captures the moment the home was plucked from its sturdy pilings and carried away by unusually high swells, a cruel parting gift from Tropical Storm Ernesto, which was lurking offshore at the time of the incident.
According to the National Park Service office located at Cape Hatteras National Seashore, there was considerable damage to several other homes in the area. They advised people to exercise significant caution due to the potential danger of debris washed up on the beach or floating in the sea, spanning over a dozen miles.
Clean Up and Damage
The anonymous homeowners are said to be coordinating cleanup efforts with the National Park Service. The process is expected to take several days. Visitors have been advised to avoid the water not only because of rough ocean conditions, but also due to the compromise of several homes’ septic systems from the flood.
The Larger Impact
This incident is more than an isolated disaster. It sits within the broader context of increasing instances of houses collapsing or being swept into the sea due to beach and dune erosion in the area. Experts attribute much of this change to climate change and the subsequently increasing severity of sea swells.
In fact, ocean levels on the Outer Banks islands have risen by half a foot since 2020 and are expected to increase by an additional foot by 2050. This raises significant concerns about the future of homes and communities located in this vulnerable coastal region.
Addressing the Issue
The National Park Service has turned to offshore oil and gas leases to generate funds. They utilize these funds for pro-active measures such as purchasing at-risk homes in the Hatteras area and demolishing them before nature takes its course in destructive bouts such as those seen recently.
In the face of growing environmental concerns and the escalating effects of climate change, it’s crucial that coastal areas, residents, and the organizations responsible for their preservation and maintenance proactively address these issues to protect both private investments and public lands.
