health

April 29, 2026

Dozens of North Carolina houses have been lost to the sea. Some surviving homes are now being moved on wheels

Pace of sea-level rise has turned Outer Banks coastal area into a ‘canary in the coalmine’ for other east coast communities

Dozens of North Carolina houses have been lost to the sea. Some surviving homes are now being moved on wheels

TL;DR

  • Hatteras Island is experiencing severe coastal erosion, with 19 homes lost to the ocean since September.
  • Homeowners are hiring house movers, like Barry Crum, to lift entire buildings onto wheels and move them back from the rapidly eroding coastline.
  • Coastal erosion is a long-standing issue on the Outer Banks, but recent acceleration has alarmed longtime residents.
  • Experts view the Outer Banks as an early indicator of coastal challenges faced by other East Coast communities due to rising sea levels and climate change.
  • Interventions like beach nourishment and building groins are being implemented, but their long-term effectiveness is uncertain, with some experts suggesting 'managed retreat' might be inevitable.
  • The cost of moving a house can be substantial, with one owner spending up to $300,000 per relocation.

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