In September 2025, a beachfront home located in Buxton, North Carolina, collapsed into the Atlantic Ocean. This marks the 12th home on Hatteras Island to fall into the sea since 2020, raising serious concerns for homeowners, renters, and vacationers visiting the Outer Banks.
With properties continuing to edge closer to the water due to coastal erosion and rising sea levels, many are asking:
"Which house will collapse next?"
"Is my Outer Banks vacation rental at risk?"
One of the most watched and talked-about homes in Rodanthe is the Inn at Rodanthe, made famous by the 2008 film Nights in Rodanthe, based on the Nicholas Sparks novel. Formerly known as “Serendipity”, the house stood for years at the edge of the sea, right at the entrance to Rodanthe, drawing attention for its cinematic charm and precarious location.
Thankfully, the home was moved to safety in 2010 after multiple storms—including the remnants of Hurricane Ida—left it structurally compromised. Dare County declared the house a safety hazard, prompting quick action to either relocate or demolish the landmark.
In January 2010, Ben and Debbie Huss of Newton, NC, purchased the property with a mission to save it. They hired Expert House Movers (the same company that relocated the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse) to transport the 83,000-pound house inland.
Though the initial attempt was delayed when the house got stuck in the sand, the move was completed successfully a few days later. By the next day, the original oceanfront lot had been cleared, and the Atlantic quickly reclaimed the site.
The house now rests safely on Beacon Road, just north of the Jug Handle Bridge, still in Rodanthe but much less vulnerable to storm surge. Fully restored to match its appearance in the movie, the Inn at Rodanthe remains a popular vacation rental and an icon of Outer Banks history.
The Inn at Rodanthe is currently located on Beacon Road in Rodanthe, North Carolina. Although no longer perched directly at the ocean’s edge, it still offers breathtaking views and sits close enough to the beach to provide the classic Outer Banks experience—without the immediate threat of collapse.
Since 2020, 18 houses on Hatteras Island have collapsed into the ocean:
- May 29, 2020: An unoccupied house collapsed during the overnight hours at 23238 Sea Oats Drive, Rodanthe.
- February 9, 2022: On a calm winter day, an unoccupied house collapsed at 24183 Ocean Drive, Rodanthe.
- May 10, 2022: During a multi-day nor'easter, an unoccupied house collapsed at 24235 Ocean Drive, Rodanthe. The collapsed occurred during the early morning hours.
- May 10, 2022: During a multi-day nor'easter, an unoccupied house collapsed at 24265 Ocean Drive, Rodanthe. The collapse occurred during the early afternoon hours.
- March 13, 2023: During inclement weather, an unoccupied house collapsed at 23228 East Point Drive, Rodanthe.
- May 28, 2024: An unoccupied house collapsed around 2:30 a.m. at 24131 Ocean Drive, Rodanthe.
- August 16, 2024: An unoccupied house collapsed at approximately 6:50 p.m. at 23214 Corbina Drive, Rodanthe.
- September 20, 2024: An unoccupied house collapsed during the early morning hours at 23001 G A Kohler Court, Rodanthe.
- September 20, 2024: An unoccupied house collapsed during the evening hours at 23009 G A Kohler Court, Rodanthe.
- September 24, 2024: An unoccupied house collapsed during the afternoon at 23039 G A Kohler Court, Rodanthe.
- November 14/15, 2024: An unoccupied house collapsed during the overnight hours of November 14-15 at 23241 Surf Side Drive, Rodanthe.
- September 16, 2025: An unoccupied house collapsed during the afternoon at 46227 Tower Circle Road, Buxton.
September 30, 2025: The following five unoccupied houses in Buxton collapsed between 2 and 2:45 p.m.: 46001 Cottage Avenue, 46002 Cottage Avenue, 46007 Cottage Avenue, 46209 Tower Circle Road, 46211 Tower Circle Road
September 30, 2025: During the overnight hours, an unoccupied house collapsed at 46203 Tower Circle Road, Buxton.
October 1, 2025: An unoccupied house collapsed at approximately 8 p.m. at 46207 Tower Circle Road, Buxton. (19)
October 2, 2025: An unoccupied house collapsed shortly before 5 p.m. at 46221 Tower Circle Road, Buxton. (20)
October 3, 2025: An unoccupied house collapsed shortly before 6 p.m. at 23047 G.A. Kohler Court, Rodanthe. (21)
October 18, 2025: An unoccupied house collapsed at approximately 7:45 p.m. at 46006 Cottage Avenue, Buxton. (22)
October 28, 2025: The following five unoccupied houses collapsed in Buxton:
- 46002 Ocean Drive at approximately 10:45 a.m. (23)
- 46223 Tower Circle Road at approximately 11 a.m. (24)
- 46003 Ocean Drive at approximately 12:45 p.m. (25)
- 46016 Cottage Avenue at approximately 1 p.m. (26)
- 46213 Tower Circle Road at approximately 4:30 p.m. (27)
- February 1, 2026: An unoccupied house collapsed during the early morning hours at 46201 Tower Circle Road, Buxton. (28)
- February 1/2, 2026: Two unoccupied houses collapsed during the overnight hours in Buxton. The addresses were 46215 and 46219 Tower Circle Road. (29 & 30)
- February 2, 2026: An unoccupied house collapsed at approximately 9 a.m at 46285 Old Lighthouse Road, Buxton. (31)
Most of these collapses occurred during spring and fall storm seasons when the coastline is at its most vulnerable.
If you’re planning a vacation in the Outer Banks, it’s natural to be concerned about beachfront house safety, especially in Rodanthe and nearby towns like Avon, Buxton, and Hatteras.
However, homes that become too close to the ocean due to erosion are flagged and removed from the rental market to ensure guest safety. You won’t be able to book a home that’s been deemed structurally unsafe.
Additionally, Outer Banks Blue only offers homes in more stable areas on the Northern Beaches, including:
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Corolla
-
Duck
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Southern Shores
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Kitty Hawk
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Kill Devil Hills
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Nags Head
These locations are 20–30 miles north of Hatteras Island, and are far less impacted by the shoreline collapse issues seen on Hatteras Island.
If you've ever dreamed of stepping into the world of Nights in Rodanthe, now you can. These Outer Banks beach homes offer the same coastal charm and cozy atmosphere that made the film so unforgettable. Inspired by the romance of Richard Gere and Diane Lane, and the Inn at Rodanthe, these homes let you relive the magic right on the shores of North Carolina.
