OBX Oceanfront Erosion

With the rising of the oceans all around the planet you will find the oceanfront and bay front properties eroding all across the US, regardless of what you might have heard, and the Outer Banks is no different. Generally, the erosion rate is minimal and not much of a concern but there are areas where the beach erosion is accelerated.

The areas with the least amount of erosion are Corolla, Southern Shores, the south end of Kill Devil Hills, and the north end of Nags Head. In between these areas the beaches tend to erode at a faster rate causing a scallop effect.

Beach nourishment is expensive and not used very often on the OBX. The communities of Pine Island and Sanderling truck in sand to replace lot beach and the town of Nags Head has implemented a beach nourishment program.

The areas with the worst erosion are where you will find the ridiculously low priced beach front homes. These houses are what we call 'wash-ins' because they are getting ready to get washed into the ocean.

Below are all the erosion maps for the beachfront from Corolla through the end of Hatteras Island. These maps are will help but not as much as an agent with lots of OBX experience.

Fortunitely most of the towns are implimenting Beach Nourishment to replenish the lost sand.