Coastal erosion News and Reporting Coverage | WRAL

800 dump trucks of sand gone: A new look at North Carolina's vanishing coast

New 3D maps reveal Buxton's beach lost 800 dump trucks of sand and nine feet of elevation in five weeks -- a warning, scientists say, of how fast North Carolina's coast is collapsing.

Outer Banks locals question what's to be done about disappearing shoreline

A Buxton woman describes the fear and unvertanity around the encroaching shoreline as homes like hers get closer to sea.

Five homes lost in a day highlight the growing cost of inaction on NC erosion

Five homes collapsed in Buxton as powerful surf chews away the shoreline. The debris now stretches for miles, and so do the questions -- who pays to clean it up, and how long can North Carolina's disappearing coast afford to wait for answers?

Coastal low to bring new threat of overwash to portions of Outer Banks

It's been a common theme lately - coastal storms bringing the chance for high wind and coastal overwash.

WRAL Meteorologist, Chris Michaels

Rainy, wind-swept weekend threatens erosion for Outer Banks

A coastal low will bring everything from rain to wind to coastal flooding and high surf along the Outer Banks.

Crews race to clear Outer Banks debris ahead of coastal storms

Hundreds of truckloads of debris have already been cleared from the Outer Banks. WRAL News looks at where things stand ahead of a system that could wipe out even more homes.

Crews race to clear debris from Outer Banks home collapses ahead of weekend storms

Crews have cleared more than 360 truckloads of debris after nine homes collapsed in a week on the Outer Banks, as rising seas and new storms threaten to wash away even more of Buxton's coast.

NC 12 flooded in Outer Banks: High surf, overwash, floating debris make for dangerous weekend

Throughout the weekend and into Monday, a nor'easter will bring high surf, coastal flooding and wind gusts up to 60 mph on our coast.

Chris Michaels, WRAL meteorologist

Ask the Meteorologist: Supermoons, king tides and its impact on North Carolina's ghost forests

Some of North Carolina's coastal forests are being depleted and they're now being called "ghost forests." Meteorologist Chris Michaels explains how this week's supermoon can actually play a role in their demise in today's "Ask the Meteorologist."

Ask the Meteorologist: How are supermoons linked to North Carolina's 'ghost forests?'

Sea level rise and king tides are leading to the depletion of some of North Carolina's coastal forests. We explain how.

Chris Michaels, WRAL Meteorologist

Buxton lost as much as 300 feet of beach in some places after back-to-back storms

3D mapping shows Buxton's shoreline retreated up to 141 feet after multiple homes collapsed, with debris spreading inland as rising seas and repeated storms accelerate erosion.

3D mapping shows dramatic shoreline loss in Buxton after homes collapse

3D mapping shows Buxton's shoreline retreated up to 141 feet after multiple homes collapsed, with debris spreading inland as rising seas and repeated storms accelerate erosion.

Cleanup underway after eight Outer Banks homes collapse

Cleanup is underway in Buxton after eight homes collapsed into the Atlantic Ocean.

A home on the North Carolina coast collapses, 12th incident in five years

Another vacant home has fallen into the ocean on the North Carolina coast. WRAL News shares what homeowners can do before their house becomes the next victim

Hurricane Erin underscores beach erosion issues in Rodanthe

Rodanthe has had 11 homes collapse into the Atlantic Ocean in the last five years.

Severe erosion, no timeline for tourist return to Outer Banks after Hurricane Erin

Gov. Josh Stein toured the Outer Banks to assess Hurricane Erin's damage, noting that while some areas experienced significant property damage, North Carolina "dodged a bullet" with no reported loss of life. State and local leaders are now focused on repairing and reopening N.C. Highway 12

Storms like Hurricane Erin pose a perennial threat to sea turtle nests on North Carolina coast

Hurricane Erin's swells pose a threat to sea turtle nests along the North Carolina coastline, where conservationists like Marie Palmer are working tirelessly to protect these vulnerable habitats.

Erin pulls away from NC coast, leaving beach erosion and rip currents

On Thursday morning, deep cliffs of sand lined much of Wrightsville Beach after the surf came up around high tide Wednesday evening, eating away at the shoreline.

Hurricane Erin aftermath: Erosion at Wrightsville Beach, dangerous rip current risk

Hurricane Erin is pulling away from the United States, leaving beach erosion and rough surf along the North Carolina coastline.

Heidi Kirk, WRAL reporter

Outer Banks homes damaged, neighborhoods flooded after Erin

The Outer Banks felt the worst impacts from Hurricane Erin, which is moving away from the North Carolina coast.

Study warns efforts to protect Highway 12 could be making flooding worse

A UNC-led study says decades of road protection efforts may be accelerating erosion and putting the Outer Banks at greater risk.

Hurricane Erin nears: North Topsail Beach closes beach amid rip current, erosion threats

North Topsail Beach has closed several beach access points due to the escalating threats of rip currents and beach erosion as Hurricane Erin approaches. Town officials are closely monitoring the situation, urging residents and visitors to avoid the beaches.

Heidi Kirk, WRAL eastern North Carolina reporter

Ask the Meteorologist: Why is Hurricane Erin getting so big?

Eyewall replacement cycles are common in strong hurricanes, including ones like Erin.

Chris Michaels, WRAL meteorologist

Outer Banks homes in danger of collapse as Hurricane Erin churns in Atlantic

Two Rodanthe homes are at risk of collapse as Hurricane Erin stirs dangerous waves toward the Outer Banks, threatening fragile oceanfront properties.

Rodanthe homes stand in rising surf as Hurricane Erin approaches

Two Rodanthe homes are at risk of collapse as Hurricane Erin stirs dangerous waves toward the Outer Banks, threatening fragile oceanfront properties.