7th house collapses in Outer Banks due to coastal flooding from Hurricane Imelda, Humberto: Officials

EDITOR’S NOTE: The following video was obtained by CBS 17 on Tuesday, one day before the seventh house collapsed.

BUXTON, N.C. (WNCN) — According to the National Park Service, two more Buxton homes felt the brutal wrath of two September hurricanes.

Officials said a home at 46203 Tower Circle Road on the Outer Banks coast collapsed during the overnight hours of Tuesday. On Wednesday night, Cape Hatteras National Seashore officials said another house nearby at 462067 Tower Circle Road collapsed around 8 p.m. This makes seven houses — all unoccupied — destroyed in the span of 48 hours on two roads in Buxton.

According to officials on Tuesday, five houses collapsed within 45 minutes as Hurricanes Imelda and Humberto triggered flooding and high surf. Cape Hatteras National Seashore said the unoccupied homes collapsed between 2 p.m. and 2:45 p.m.

Outer Banks beaches have been closed since Monday because officials said there were concerns of homes collapsing or breaking apart.

Meanwhile, in an update on Wednesday from the North Carolina Department of Transportation, emergency crews continue to clear up N.C. 12 and other roads along the coast from blown sand. N.C. 12 is still closed on the north end of Ocracoke Island.

“Elsewhere, NC12 remains open and passable, with blown sand on the roadway in several places, and standing water on the road in Buxton and Hatteras,” officials said. “Crews will be out working today to clear the roadway and fortify dunes, as we do anticipate ocean overwash with the high tide this afternoon.”

Officials said there is major overwash on secondary roads in Rodanthe. No actual road damage has been reported so far.

Ferry service has been suspended between Hatteras and Ocracoke Island.

“If you must travel today, please drive with EXTREME CAUTION,” NCDOT officials said.

As of Wednesday morning, Hurricane Imelda — which was closest to the NC coast — is heading in the direction of Bermuda.