Homeowners on North Carolina's Hatteras Island are scrambling to save their properties from coastal erosion, with entire houses being lifted onto wheels and moved inland. Since September, 19 homes have collapsed into the Atlantic Ocean, and many more are at risk.
House Moving on Hatteras Island
Barry Crum, a lifelong resident and the island's main house mover, is now busier than ever. His crew has jacked up homes like Cape Point Retreat onto girders to be wheeled back from the waves. "It's never been this busy," Crum said. "I've seen a lot but I hadn't seen this kind of erosion this quickly before."
Rapid Erosion and Community Impact
Coastal erosion has long been a fact of life on the Outer Banks, a string of sandy barrier islands. Some areas lose over 10 feet of land per year. But recent events have stunned even longtime locals. In September, five houses collapsed within 45 minutes. Hunter Hicks, a resident, described the sound as "like a bomb went off."
Since 2020, 31 houses have been lost on Hatteras Island. The pace of sea-level rise has turned the area into a "canary in the coalmine" for other east coast communities, according to Laura Moore, an expert in coastal change at the University of North Carolina.
Challenges of Living on Barrier Islands
The artificial dunes built in the 1930s to hold beaches in place have worsened erosion by preventing natural sand transfer. David Hallac of the National Park Service explained, "Erosion on a barrier island is not only normal, it's important." The climate crisis may accelerate future retreat, but current erosion is largely natural.
Temporary Solutions and Uncertain Future
Efforts to combat erosion include beach replenishment and rebuilding a groin in Buxton. However, these are temporary fixes. Natalie Kavanagh, a local business owner, hopes the groin will stabilize the beach. "We need to be able to get people here so we can survive here," she said.
Some experts advocate for "managed retreat" from the coast, but this is a difficult option. "There's no silver-bullet solution," Hallac said. "It's better to work with Mother Nature than to try to fight her."
Community Resilience and House Moving
Despite the challenges, residents are determined to stay. Lat Williams moved his home 600 feet back from the beach, renaming it "Answered Prayers." Moving a house costs up to $300,000, but for many, it's worth it to preserve their community. "The people made us stay," Williams said. "It's a special place to us."
Barry Crum remains hopeful: "The island has been here for a long, long time. I think we will be OK." But as the ocean continues to rise, the future of Hatteras Island remains uncertain.
