Severe Coastal Storm Damage
Powerful Nor'easter brings severe coastal flooding and destructive erosion from New Jersey to the Outer Banks
Anonymous
A powerful early-season nor’easter brought coastal flooding, beach erosion, road closures and damage from New Jersey and Massachusetts to North Carolina’s Outer Banks. In Keyport, New Jersey, a sailboat broke loose and repeatedly struck the waterfront, destroying a fishing charter’s dock and tearing out promenade railings; officials closed the area while assessing hazards. South Jersey residents reported water inundating streets and reaching homes, while Massachusetts towns faced seawall damage, cleanup and some power outages. In the Outer Banks, erosion has caused 32 homes to collapse since 2020, mostly near Rodanthe and Buxton, and at least five more have collapsed since officials warned that about 100 structures were vulnerable. High tides breached dunes on Pea Island, damaged about 500 feet of N.C. 12 and forced a road closure; Cape Hatteras National Seashore also closed a beach near Rodanthe because threatened buildings posed a safety risk.
Key Points
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A Realtor.com analysis found that erosion in parts of the Outer Banks is exceeding 20 feet per year; most of the 32 homes already lost were built in the 1980s and 1990s, when the shoreline was farther away.
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Cape Hatteras National Seashore Superintendent Dave Hallac said 15- to 18-foot waves overwhelmed protective dunes built ahead of the storm, and warned that if all 100 identified threatened structures collapse, another 100 could be at risk behind them.
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In Scituate, a seawall at Humarock Beach reportedly shifted about two feet from its foundation. Town officials said an engineer must assess the structure before the adjoining home can be occupied.
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The Keyport Princess fishing charter’s dock lost its freezers, electrical service and water lines in the sailboat collision. The family, which has operated the business in Keyport for about 10 years, said at least eight sailboats broke loose during the storm.
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Some South Jersey residents compared the flooding with Superstorm Sandy. In Ocean City, resident Robin Shafer described about three feet of water under the boardwalk and said he used a kayak to get his dog to dry land.
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