north carolina
Newsletter
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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.
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.
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Newsletter
Credit: Good Free Photos/Unsplash
National efforts focus on dam removal to restore habitats
Across the U.S., federal funding is driving a campaign to remove dams and restore river habitats, benefiting both aquatic species and local communities.
Michael Casey and Erik Verduzco report for The Associated Press.
In short:
- The removal of Shulls Mill Dam in North Carolina is part of a broader effort to restore river ecosystems, helping species like the eastern hellbender salamander thrive.
- Over $2 billion from the bipartisan infrastructure bill is allocated to federal agencies for dam removal, with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service receiving $200 million for projects aimed at enhancing aquatic connectivity.
- While some oppose dam removal due to potential impacts on reservoirs and jobs, the initiative aims to improve biodiversity, water quality and flood protection.
Key quote:
“This is really is changing the scope and scale, even the way we can think about aquatic connectivity. People came in with bigger, more complicated projects and asked us to help shoulder a bigger slice of that pie.”
— Amy Horstman, National Fish Passage Program coordinator, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Why this matters:
Removing outdated dams is crucial for restoring natural river habitats, which boosts biodiversity and strengthens ecosystems. The initiative, supported by significant federal funding, seeks to address the ecological and safety issues posed by aging dam infrastructure.
Related EHN coverage:
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Photo by Element5 Digital on Unsplash
How Raleigh plans to use funding for climate change education
Raleigh recently won a federal grant to help protect communities most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, including flood damage and heat-related illness.
Photo by Erik Mclean on Unsplash
With N.C. efficiency codes frozen, advocates eye other opportunities
With a statewide building code overhaul off the table until 2031, efficiency advocates look to federal tax credits and utility incentives to advance building efficiency in North Carolina.
Photo by Raymond Kotewicz on Unsplash
Why Outer Banks houses at risk of collapse bought by government
The National Park Service spent more than $700,000 to buy two homes in Rodanthe, N.C. at risk of falling into the sea – as some have in recent years due to erosion. The homes will be torn down and turned into public beach access.
Photo by Raymond Kotewicz on Unsplash
Why Outer Banks houses at risk of collapse bought by government
The National Park Service spent more than $700,000 to buy two homes in Rodanthe, N.C. at risk of falling into the sea – as some have in recent years due to erosion. The homes will be torn down and turned into public beach access.
Photo by Killari Hotaru on Unsplash
Garbage in, toxics out: They promised “advanced recycling” for plastics and delivered toxic waste
A North Carolina facility’s record of violations undercuts the dream of plastics recycling.
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