Beachgoers warned of hazardous debris, exposed septic systems along beach in Rodanthe

RODANTHE — After finding pipes, wires and exposed septic systems, the National Park Service is warning visitors to avoid a section of beach where several houses have collapsed into the Atlantic Ocean over the past four years.

The warning, issued Thursday, is for the beach adjacent to Ocean Drive, but National Park Service officials said hazards such as building materials and exposed parts of septic systems may also be present on other beaches in the village.

Cape Hatteras National Seashore employees, during periodic monitoring of the Rodanthe shoreline, noted the eroded beachfront and a number of “concerning hazards adjacent to Ocean Drive,” NPS spokesman Mike Barber said.

The park service is working with Dare County and the utility companies on the exposed hazards.

“The exposed septic systems, unknown wires and pipes prompted the seashore to contact Dare County and Cape Hatteras Electric Cooperative, followed by the issuance of this morning’s public advisory,” Barber said.

The Atlantic Ocean has claimed five privately owned houses in Rodanthe since May 2020, with four falling in a 13-month period. Two houses on Ocean Drive fell on the same day — May 10, 2022 — during a multi-day nor’easter.

Last fall, the park service bought and demolished two homes in danger of falling into the ocean on nearby East Beacon Road.

Since the start of the collapses, the park service has taken steps to mitigate damage and inform the public, including hosting public cleanups of beach debris following each house collapse and holding town hall meetings with concerned residents and property owners.

The park service plans to use the fall demolitions as a pilot program to study the feasibility of expanding the buy-and-demolish program as storms and sea level rise continue eroding the shoreline in Rodanthe.