As more beachfront homes topple into the ocean at the Outer Banks, a North Carolina congressman warned residents to do the ‘neighborly thing’ and abandon ship.
As storms continue to thrash the coastal area, at least nine homes have now collapsed into the waters underneath them as 12-foot waves battered the stilts they perched on.
Hurricanes Humberto and Imelda slammed the coast over the past week, leaving many residents watching their homes topple.
Five fell in under an hour just after 2pm on Tuesday alone, with another just before midnight, according to locals.
State Congressman Greg Murphy, however, showed little sympathy for residents facing the crisis and warned them to demolish their homes or relocate.
‘I would just hope that those individuals who have threatened structures would understand that they have an obligation to the community to take those houses down if they are threatened before they become an environmental hazard. That’s just the neighborly thing to do,’ Murphy said, Fox 8 reported.
Since 2020, the total number of homes that have fallen victim to the ocean has reached 21 along North Carolina beaches.
The homes have belonged to families for years, such as Carolyn Hoagland’s 1984 home which was the sixth home to fall this week.
As storms continue to thrash the coastal area, at least nine homes have now collapsed into the waters underneath them as 12-foot waves battered the stilts they perched on
State Congressman Greg Murphy (pictured), however, issue a grave warning to residents urging them to demolish their homes or relocate
‘When we built, you got tired going to the ocean – it was so far away,’ Hogaland told the outlet.
‘It’s awful,’ Buxton Civic Association’s Heather Jennette told the Daily Mail on Wednesday.
‘As of this morning we have lost six houses. It’s very sad. What’s more sad is that North Carolina is the only state with laws restricting the ability to try and help strengthen our coast.
‘We have known this would happen without increased stabilization.
‘We were all hoping we might get through this fall and winter, as there is a plan in place for repair of one jetty out of three and another round of beach nourishment.
‘Unfortunately the current state of the jetties has accelerated erosion, and coupled with the surge from the hurricanes proved too much for some of these homes to handle.
‘Also, insurance will only kick in once they fall, which is most unfortunate. There are limited options to be proactive that don’t put the cost totally out of pocket to the homeowners.’
No injuries were reported, the Cape Hatteras National Seashore said in a post on social media.
Five homes fell in under an hour just after 2pm on Tuesday alone, with another just before midnight
Since 2020, the total number of homes that have fallen victim to the ocean has reached 21 along North Carolina beaches
But in dramatic videos shown by the local station 13News Now, the homes swayed on stilts, getting battered by the waves until they collapsed into the surf.
Locals were warned to stay away from the area. Debris, from two-by-fours to walls and glass, littered the shoreline.
Nearby homes are also at risk with storms set to continue.
‘We’re going to need some help when it’s over,’ Jennette said.
‘We need help from the legislature making some changes that allow us to help ourselves. And we’ve been screaming at semi-deaf ears.’
