Another Outer Banks beach house collapses into the ocean; 3rd this year

Another Outer Banks beach house collapsed into the ocean Friday morning, the second home to be washed away in the village of Rodanthe in less than a month.

The unoccupied house at 23001 G A Kohler Court in northern Rodanthe tumbled into the water in the early morning hours, damaging the house next door with debris, the National Park Service said in a news release. A Hampton father and son have owned the beach-box style cottage, built in 1992, since 2008, according to Dare County property records.

The home and several others on the street have been in imminent danger of collapse for weeks, with beach-goers reporting hearing one of the home creaking a few days ago.

"Dangerous debris may be present on the beach and in the water to the north and south of the collapse site, which will likely lead to temporary beach closures for public safety," the release said.

A debris removal contractor, hired by the property owner, was expected to begin cleanup work Friday. Debris removal activities may also be conducted by National Park Service staff, the release said.

The Rodanthe collapse is the second within a month, the third this year and the eighth at Cape Hatteras National Seashore over the past four years.

Federal, state and local officials have been grappling with the problem of severe erosion in Rodanthe for decades. In recent years, local officials have condemned homes and the National Park Service has purchased and demolished some threatened structures .

The National Park Service said as many as two dozen homes are vulnerable to collapse at Cape Hatteras National Seashore due to severe erosion.