Outer Banks
Coastal region in North Carolina known for beaches and tourism
Latest stories
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Ask the Meteorologist: What this week's nor'easter means for North Carolina's coast
A nor'easter is developing off the coast, and it will have impacts from the Outer Banks to the New England coastline this week.
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Rare whale shark sighting off North Carolina coast
In the Western Atlantic, whale sharks are primarily found in the Gulf and throughout the Caribbean, but sightings off the North Carolina coast are not unheard of.
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Another home collapses into Atlantic, the 20th to fall in Buxton since September 2025
Another oceanfront home in the Outer Banks collapsed into the Atlantic Ocean overnight despite efforts by Dare County to buy the property before it fell.
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Three people saved off the coast of Corolla Wednesday
Three people were saved off the coast of Corolla Wednesday when their floats drifted over a mile off shore. Corolla Fire and Rescue Squad reported that strong winds from the southwest caused the floats to go so far from the beach.
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Threat of more oceanfront homes collapsing closes portion of Outer Banks beach
Cape Hatteras National Seashore has announced the closure of some beaches due to the increased risk of collapse for one or more threatened oceanfront homes in Buxton and Rodanthe.
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Repairs that could help slow erosion to move forward on Buxton coast
The National Park Service said it is moving forward with long-needed repairs near the former location of the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse to help prevent erosion along the beach in Buxton.
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Ask the Meteorologist: Why have some N.C. towns seen more snow than parts of the Rockies?
In an odd twist of fate, parts of North Carolina have seen more snow this winter than parts of the Rockies. Why?
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Ask the Meteorologist: Did the North Carolina coasts really see a blizzard this weekend?
In order for a blizzard to happen, a very specific set of criteria need to be met.
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Four houses fall at the Outer Banks in Buxton after storm brought high tides, 60 mph wind gusts
In Buxton, Outer Banks, four homes have collapsed due to a severe storm that caused high tides and 60 mph winds. Residents are urged to remain cautious as emergency services assess the damage and provide aid.
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Historic storm: Parts of NC coast get 15 inches of snow
This weekend's snow was historic for parts of the North Carolina coast.
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Missing man's truck last seen at Cape Hatteras National Seashore
Officials believe Chris Palmer is traveling with his German shepherd and could still be in the Outer Banks area.
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Wild horse relocated from Outer Banks after becoming aggressively dependent on humans for food
The Corolla Wild Horse Fund said that Topnotch was associating humans with food, which led him to begin seeking people out and then reacting dangerously whether food was present or not. They said this sort of behavior is difficult to correct in a wild animal.
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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.
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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.
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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?
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Five oceanfront homes collapse in Buxton
Five homes collapsed in Buxton on Tuesday, according to a person close to the situation.
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'Only so sustainable': UNC-CH senior juggles acting and academics
Discover how a UNC-Chapel Hill senior is skillfully balancing the demands of academics with a flourishing acting career. Explore her strategies for managing time, maintaining sustainability, and pursuing passions, all while preparing for life after graduation.
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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.
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Much of NC 12 reopens, ferries bring equipment to clear overwash in Ocracoke
N.C. Highway 12 on Ocracoke Island remains closed Tuesday due to overwash, according to the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT).
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Nor'easter causing flooded highways, threatening more Outer Banks homes
Officials in the Outer Banks are concerned that this weather could cause more home collapses.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
