5 Outer Banks homes fall into ocean within 45 minutes amid coastal flooding from Hurricanes Imelda, Humberto

MOREHEAD CITY, N.C. (WNCN) — Amid a coastal flood warning at the North Carolina Outer Banks, five beachfront homes on Hatteras Island collapsed into the ocean on Tuesday, according to reports.

The houses collapsed in Buxton within about 45 minutes on Tuesday afternoon as the offshore Hurricanes Imelda and Humberto triggered flooding and high surf, a Cape Hatteras National Seashore news release said. Video showed a home sinking in the surf and a large amount of debris floating among the waves.

One home collapsed in the area exactly two weeks ago, and the Cape Hatteras National Seashore closed beach areas Monday over the threat that homes could “break apart or collapse.”

Cape Hatteras National Seashore said the five unoccupied homes collapsed between 2 p.m. and 2:45 p.m. Tuesday.

“This is an ongoing incident; further collapses are possible due to the ocean conditions,” the release said.

The National Park Service said the following houses collapsed in Buxton:

• 46001 Cottage Avenue
• 46002 Cottage Avenue
• 46007 Cottage Avenue
• 46209 Tower Circle Road
• 46211 Tower Circle Road

Meanwhile, N.C. 12 was closed Tuesday near Ocracoke Island following the arrival of the last ferry due to an increasing ocean overwash, according to the North Carolina Department of Transportation.

NCDOT emphasized that overwash is making roads hazardous for motorists, and the key highway will be closed through at least Thursday.

The hazardous conditions are due to impacts from Hurricane Humberto and Hurricane Imelda, with those near Cape Hatteras National Seashore also making preparations.

Large breaking waves of 6 to 8 feet — later building to 10 to 12 feet — are forecast in Ocracoke Island and Hatteras Island and in areas of Carteret County, the National Weather Service said.

Flooding along the coast is expected, with 2 to 3 feet of water expected in low-lying areas near shorelines and tidal waterways, the Morehead City office of the National Weather Service said.

The Cape Hatteras National Seashore is closed in northern Rodanthe, and all of the beach in Buxton is also closed, the National Park Service said Monday.

The coastal flood warning is from 11 a.m. Tuesday to 8 p.m. Friday, while the high surf advisory is now active until 8 a.m. Saturday, the National Weather Service said.

WAVY-TV contributed to this report