News Release

Cape Hatteras National Seashore implements response to March 13 house collapse

National Park Service employee carries debris to back of truck.

NPS Photo

News Release Date: March 14, 2023

Contact: Mike Barber, 252-270-5389

National Park Service employees at Cape Hatteras National Seashore (Seashore) this morning began cleaning up debris associated with yesterday’s unoccupied, one-story house collapse at 23228 East Point Drive in Rodanthe, North Carolina. The proactive clean up response is an effort to protect the Seashore’s natural resources and help ensure the safety of visitors.

Almost all the house debris has washed away from the property and spread to the north and south. Varying levels of debris associated with the house collapse have been spotted on Seashore beaches between the north end of Rodanthe and the south end of Avon, approximately 21 miles.

As of 3 p.m. today, National Park Service employees have collected and removed 20 truckloads of house debris from the beach.

In a March 11, 2022, communication to the owner of 23228 East Point Drive, the Seashore recommended actions be taken to mitigate threats to Seashore lands and waters. As of today, the owner of the house has not developed a plan to clean up the debris.

National Park Service employees will continue to clean up debris, and there may be formal volunteer cleanup opportunities once conditions improve.

National Park Service staff transfer debris from a truck to a dumpster.

NPS Photo

Truckloads of debris collected on March 14.

NPS Photo