Dare County officials visited Buxton on Wednesday, October 1, to assess the extensive damage along the oceanfront after six oceanfront homes collapsed within roughly 12 hours during ongoing hazardous coastal conditions.
Board of Commissioners Chairman Bob Woodard, Vice Chairman Steve House, County Manager Bobby Outten, and Commissioner Mary Ellon Ballance surveyed the impacted stretch of shoreline near Old Lighthouse Road, where debris from multiple collapsed houses now lines the beach.
The Park Service has closed the beach in the affected area to protect public safety, and officials are urging people to avoid the site due to dangerous debris and unstable conditions.
To address the growing debris field, Dare County will have its debris removal contractor evaluate the site once ocean conditions improve. Homeowners of affected properties are asked to work with their private contractors to move debris to the right of way along Old Lighthouse Road. Once debris is staged there, the county’s contractor will collect and dispose of it.
“This is an incredibly difficult situation for these homeowners, for the community of Buxton, and for everyone who loves Hatteras Island,” said Chairman Woodard. “It is critically important that we get this debris cleaned up as quickly and safely as possible. Dare County will do everything possible to work alongside the National Park Service to restore these areas.”
The county’s debris removal contractor is scheduled to visit the site on Friday, October 3, weather permitting. Additional details will be shared once debris removal operations are confirmed.
The series of recent collapses underscores the worsening vulnerability of Buxton’s oceanfront, which has been repeatedly battered by long-duration swell events and nor’easters in recent years.
Several of the affected homes were already identified as “at risk” due to chronic erosion, and officials have warned that additional structures in the area remain in danger as the current coastal flooding event continues.
The post Dare officials assess oceanfront damage in Buxton and take initial steps to coordinate debris removal appeared first on Island Free Press.
Add to favoritesCredit: Original content published here.
