Intense near-hurricane strength winds from a rapidly strengthening nor’easter developing off the Southeastern coast of the U.S. are expected to pose a risk to vulnerable beach homes at the brink of collapse along North Carolina’s Outer Banks.
As an area of low pressure strengthens off the coast of the Southeast, heavy snow and gusty winds will be a problem all along the region.
A photo shows snow falling on the beaches of Rodanthe, North Carolina on Jan. 31, 2026 as a powerful nor’easter brews off the Southeastern coast.
(FOX Weather Storm Tracker Mark Sudduth / FOX Weather)
One of the main concerns, aside from the snow and wind, is the impact on coastal areas.
Since 2020, 27 privately owned North Carolina beach homes have collapsed into the Atlantic Ocean.
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Home collapses in Buxton, N.C. on Sept. 30, 2025.
(Cape Hatteras National Seashore ) -
Home collapses in Rodanthe, N.C. in heavy surf on Oct. 3, 2025.
(Cape Hatteras National Seashore) -
Homes collapse in Buxton, N.C.
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Homes collapse in Buxton, N.C.
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Home collapses in Buxton, N.C. on Sept. 30, 2025.
(Cape Hatteras National Seashore ) -
A green house remains standing after a home collapsed into it on Thursday in Buxton.
(Katie Byrne) -
A few homes stand in the background of a pile of debris from collapsed homes in Buxton.
(Katie Byrne) -
This image comes from live video from Buxton, North Carolina, showing a home on the verge of collapsing into the Atlantic as a powerful nor’easter lashes the coast on Oct. 12, 2025.
(FOX Weather Exclusive Storm Tracker Mark Sudduth)
However, 16 of those collapses occurred in Rodanthe and Buxton, North Carolina from September to October 2025.
FOX Weather was on the ground in Buxton on Oct. 2, 2025 following a series of home collapses in late September and early October.
WATCH: 8TH NORTH CAROLINA BEACH HOUSE TO COLLAPSE CAUGHT LIVE ON FOX WEATHER
Another house in Buxton, North Carolina, has been added to the list of destruction as the effects of Post-Tropical Storm Imelda have destroyed an additional home.
Correspondent Katie Byrne was preparing for a live report on the beach when a home she had been closely monitoring began cracking and creaking behind her, before swaying forward and collapsing in the water, caught on video.
Video showed the home smacking into another one vulnerable to collapse immediately next to it.
FOX Weather Correspondent Katie Byrne reacts to another home falling into the ocean in Buxton, North Carolina. This is the 8th home to collapse in just a few days.
(FOX Weather)
With this nor’easter storm, there is growing concern that the combination of 60–70 mph onshore wind gusts, high ocean surf and significant beach erosion could lead to scenes reminiscent of the ones above, including the potential loss of additional homes.
FOX Weather will continue to closely follow conditions along the beaches as the nor’easter strengthens throughout the weekend.
