Hurricane Erin is predicted to cause coastal flooding and ocean overwash starting as early as Tuesday and lasting until Thursday. As a result, the National Park Service has decided to block a beach access where a number of vulnerable residences are still in danger.
The residences are located on G.A. Kohler Court in Rodanthe, which is also the area where a number of houses have recently fallen into the sea. Since 2020, the Atlantic has destroyed over a dozen residences in Rodanthe, including six in 2024 alone.
Previous coverage: In light of sea level rise and climate change, the NC coastal conference addressed ways to mitigate coastal erosion and house collapses.
The beach access in Rodanthe from the end of Old Highway 12 to the end of Ocean Drive and in front of the community of Buxton southward to Ramp 43 is closed until further notice, according to officials with Cape Hatteras National Seashore.
Prior reporting: NPS buys OBX houses that could collapse into the ocean
As Hurricane Erin’s threat of heavy surf and ocean overwash draws near, Cape Hatteras National Seashore will likewise close its facilities at the end of Monday.
In anticipation of the storm, which is not predicted to reach land but will churn up the surf along the shore, Dare and Hyde Counties have issued a state of emergency and mandated forced evacuations.
According to seashore officials, the Discovery Center on Ocracoke Island and the Museum of the Sea at Cape Hatteras Lighthouse will close by 5:00 p.m. Monday and won’t reopen until after the storm has passed and evaluations are conducted to determine a safe opening time. The lighthouse at Bodie Island will be closed on Wednesday and Thursday.
Oregon Inlet Campground will close at noon on Tuesday, and Cape Point, Frisco, and Ocracoke campgrounds will close at 3:00 p.m. on Monday.
By 9:00 p.m. on Monday, off-road vehicle (ORV) ramps will be closed.
