Coastal erosion in the Outer Banks leads to more homes collapsing into the ocean

A house in Rodanthe, North Carolina, collapsed into the ocean on Friday, highlighting the increasing threat of rising sea levels and erosion caused by climate change.

Kate Selig reports for The New York Times.

In short:

• Crashing waves from Hurricane Ernesto accelerated the collapse of an already at-risk home in Rodanthe.
• Rodanthe has lost seven homes to the ocean in the past four years due to erosion and rising sea levels.
• Officials warn that more homes may collapse as storm conditions persist along the Outer Banks.

Key quote:

"The house just sat down in the surf and floated off."

— Robert Outten, Dare County manager

Why this matters:

Rising sea levels and more intense storms are increasingly threatening coastal communities like Rodanthe. Without viable solutions, more homes and ecosystems could face severe damage.

Related: Another beach house collapses in Rodanthe, NC