Nor’Easter Collapses Homes into the Atlantic Ocean

Mother Nature demolished luxury homes and vacation rentals in the Outer Banks

A home in Buxton next to one that lost its life the week before — All photos by author

After making plans to visit a friend in Rodanthe, North Carolina, located on the infamous Outer Banks, I came across a few devastating videos that made my heart sink. Eight homes were washed away into the Atlantic Ocean about a week before we were flying in. Many more homes on the Atlantic coast of Rodanthe and Buxton are in jeopardy.

My husband and I flew into Norfolk, Virginia, a few days ago to celebrate a friend’s birthday, who also owns a home in the Outer Banks of North Carolina. He’s an avid kiter and this seems to be the place to let your kites fly high. The wind was extreme when we stepped out of the car in Rodanthe, checking into his house on stilts.

I could immediately see the draw for him to kite in the Pamlico Sound adjacent to his home. The calmness mixed with the wind creates incredible conditions to enjoy kiting without the crazy waves back home on the Pacific Ocean.

I thought that until we hiked across the skinny stretch of island to see the Atlantic side. Creeping up over a large sand embankment, I could hear the roar of the ocean. It was eerie and Mother Nature seemed pissed off. When my head tipped up over the sand, I was floored at…