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Another Rodanthe house claimed by ocean

RODANTHE, N.C. (WAVY) — Another home in Rodanthe was claimed Friday by the Atlantic Ocean, with help from swells from Hurricane Ernesto churning hundreds of miles offshore near Bermuda.

(Chicamacomico Banks Fire & Rescue)

A Facebook post from Chicamacomico Banks Fire & Rescue said a house on Corbina Drive in Rodanthe collapsed due to the swell from Ernesto.


It cautioned people not to enter the ocean in that area due to debris that will be washing around for the next few days along with the high risk of rip currents, hazardous shore break, and rough ocean conditions

(Video above courtesy of Chicamacomico Banks Fire & Rescue)

Chicamacomico Banks Fire & Rescue said that no one was inside the home at 23214 Corbina Drive, known as Dolphin’s Point, and that the home had its power cut off last week.

The National Park Service is “strongly urging” people to avoid the beaches and “stay out of the water around all beaches and surf in Rodanthe.” It said no one was injured.

(Photos – Chicamacomico Banks Fire & Rescue)

Seashore staff members found evidence of compromised septic systems and are advising the public not go in the water until follow up inspections are made.

Cleanup began Saturday, Aug. 17 around 1 p.m. after the Seashore and Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge granted permission for cleanup activity.

On Sunday the Seashore announced that the beach remains closed from Mirlo Beach to the parking lot on the north end of the Jug Handle Bridge.

“Many other homes appear to have sustained damage in the Rodanthe area,” the Seashore said. “Dangerous debris may be present on the beach and in the water for more than a dozen miles.”

(Photo – National Park Service)

The Seashore said prevailing currents appear to be rapidly taking home debris north, but added that if the wave swell and winds shift over the coming days, debris could impact safety in the villages of Waves and Salvo.

Seashore officials are coordinating with Dare County to conduct a thorough assessment of
debris and hazards associated with damaged structures in Rodanthe.

It said it has been communicating with the property owner, and that the owner has not obtained a debris removal contractor as yet. It said the National Park Service could conduct debris removal if other efforts to remove it does not take place, but that it does not expect “significant debris removal efforts” to take place until early next week, when elevated sea conditions ease.

Continued erosion and elevated surf conditions in front of the Village of Buxton have caused
ocean overwash under many of the homes.

Back in May, a house along Ocean Drive in Rodanthe, just south of the pier, collapsed.

This collapse is now the seventh known house to collapse on Seashore beaches within the past four years.

In a previous post, it noted that swells from Ernesto would begin to fill in Friday, with surf height expected to peak from Saturday through Monday at anywhere from four-to-six feet.

It cautioned that “there are a number of other homes throughout Rodanthe at risk of collapse over the next few days.”