As sea levels rise, communities along North Carolina’s coastline are facing unprecedented challenges that threaten their homes, livelihoods and way of life.
Reports from state and federal agencies reveal alarming trends in coastal erosion, exacerbated by climate change.
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On Hatteras Island, the consequences are stark. Since 2020, 10 homes have collapsed into the ocean due to erosion rates exceeding 15 feet annually.
Local resident Adam Bittman reflected on the anguish felt by many.
“What I see is the future I don’t want for my children,” Bittman said. “We need to do something about it … years ago.”
The loss of homes is not merely a personal tragedy; it represents a growing crisis reshaping coastal communities.
Rick Luettich, director of the Institute of Marine Sciences, said the impacts of sea level rise are becoming increasingly visible.
“What we’re seeing now are high tides flooding into the streets,” Luettich said. “High tides with just a little wind are causing flooding in areas that haven’t flooded in the past. Sea-level rise, driven by climate change, is starting to affect our daily lives.”
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Homeowners caught in the middle
As erosion accelerates, homeowners are left with difficult decisions. Some, like Sharon Troy, have seen their homes crumble into the sea, powerless to stop it due to financial constraints.
“It’s hard to be proactive when you don’t have the funds to move your house or buy a lot,” Troy said. “Insurance companies don’t do anything until your house falls into the ocean.”
Insurance policies often don’t cover damage from erosion or the cost of moving homes preemptively, leaving residents stuck. When a home collapses, the cleanup of debris is costly and hazardous.
Several potential solutions exist, but all are expensive. Beach nourishment, which involves dredging sand to restore eroded beaches, offers temporary relief but costs tens of millions of dollars and must be repeated regularly.
Another option is buyouts, where homeowners are compensated for their at-risk properties. Last year, the National Park Service bought out two homes through a pilot program using funds from the Land and Water Conservation Fund, but further buyouts depend on funding availability. Federal buyouts are usually only available after a disaster, limiting preemptive efforts.
Environmental groups are also advocating for a ban on new beachfront development to prevent additional homes from being built in high-risk areas. However, this approach faces resistance due to the potential economic impact on tourism and real estate, both of which remain strong despite the risks.
“As crazy as this sounds, it’s a very stable real estate market,” Dare County Commissioner Danny Couch said.
The rising threat
Wilmington has recorded seven inches of sea level rise since 2010, more than double the 2.7 inches seen from 1980 to 2009, according to NOAA. Along the North Carolina coast, NOAA predicts sea levels could rise by one to two feet by 2050.
“We need to start paying attention to what the climate is telling us,” Couch said. “If you stick your head in the sand, you’re going to find yourself being reactive instead of proactive.”
Despite the looming threat, demand for coastal property remains high. Couch noted that beachfront development will continue as long as it remains profitable. Some rental homes in the Outer Banks are listed for over $40,000 per week during peak summer dates.
“A lot of these houses have been paid for for years,” Couch said. “So, when you rent out a five-bedroom home for $2,000 a bedroom, that’s free money.”
A look to the future
The North Carolina coast isn’t just losing homes — it’s facing an existential crisis. Dave Hallac, superintendent of Cape Hatteras National Seashore, said long-term thinking is critical.
“We have to be thinking 10 or 20 years ahead so we can hopefully prevent these types of situations,” Hallac said.
Hallac co-authored a recent report on threatened oceanfront structures in North Carolina, which emphasized the speed at which coastal dynamics are shifting.
“There are threatened oceanfront structures today that were not threatened just a few days ago,” he said.
Debris from collapsing homes — pieces of pools, segments of stairs, and rusty nails — has become a haunting symbol of the crisis.
Buxton resident Allen Dufala believes action is necessary, despite the challenges.
“It’s not an issue of finding blame now; let’s just fix it,” he said.
As North Carolina faces this critical juncture, the urgent need for comprehensive solutions to address climate change and rising sea levels has never been clearer. The future of the state’s coastline — and the communities that rely on it — depends on our ability to adapt and take action.