Two houses collapsed in Rodanthe, North Carolina on the same day, with both incidents occurring on G A Kohler Court. This marks the fourth house collapse in the Outer Banks area this year. Debris from the collapses was found as far as 20 miles south of the sites. Visitors have been warned to avoid beaches in Rodanthe due to hazardous debris, as the National Park Service works on cleanup efforts. The houses collapsed due to coastal erosion impacts exacerbated by winds, waves, tides, rising seas, and storms, which are linked to climate change. Several other houses have collapsed in the same area since 2020.
The collapsed houses were all unoccupied, and the National Park Service is working with property owners to secure contractors for cleanup. The staff will also be on the beach to move debris above the high tide line. The effects of erosion have caused structures in vulnerable areas to be battered by weather events throughout the year. The National Park Service is actively monitoring the situation, and officials urge caution and vigilance when visiting the affected areas. The cause of the collapses is attributed to a combination of natural factors and climate change impacts, highlighting the need for continued monitoring and proactive measures to mitigate future risks in coastal regions like the Outer Banks.
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