Cape Hatteras National Seashore rangers holding drop-in volunteer beach cleanup for debris from collapsed house

Published 8:45 am Monday, February 14, 2022

The Outer Banks community is invited to join Cape Hatteras National Seashore rangers at a drop-in volunteer beach cleanup event on Monday, Feb. 14, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Gloves, garbage bags and trash pickup sticks will be provided by the National Park Service for this organized effort to assist the owner of a collapsed home clean up some of the extensive amounts of debris that has spread up to 15 miles from the collapse site along CHNS.

To receive supplies, volunteers should meet CHNS rangers at either the Outer Banks KOA Resort at 25099 N.C. Highway 12 in Rodanthe, or the CHNS off-road vehicle ramp 23, located just south of the village of Salvo.

“Much of the wood pieces that have washed up on the beach have exposed nails, so all volunteers are encouraged to wear thick soled footwear. Children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian,” stated a CHNS press release.

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“We are very appreciative of Dare County residents and Seashore visitors who have pitched in from day one of the house collapse by picking up and moving large amounts of debris to above the high tide line,” said David Hallac, superintendent of National Parks of Eastern North Carolina. “Additionally, we are thankful to the Outer Banks KOA Resort and North Carolina Beach Buggy Association for partnering with the Seashore.”

According to the release, W.M. Dunn Construction, LLC, of Powells Point, was hired on Feb. 11 by the owner of the collapsed house at 24183 Rodanthe to remove the house and all associated debris. Debris has been observed along approximately 15 miles of beach to the south of the collapsed house site and this volunteer beach cleanup event will help to mitigate the impacts from additional debris spread and long-term impacts that may occur as debris is covered by sand.

Those who plan to clean the beach outside of the Feb. 14 event should place garbage bags and debris above the high tide line to ensure the items don’t get washed back into the ocean.

The beach near the site of the collapsed house is temporarily closed due to unsafe beach conditions and short-term closures south of the house site may be necessary. Beach closures will be announced at go.nps.gov/beachaccess and via text alert (text CAHAORV to 333111).

For additional information on volunteer opportunities at CHNS, visit volunteer.gov or call 252-475-9042.

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