What If Your Home Was Slipping Into the Ocean? | National Geographic

North Carolina’s barrier islands, known as the Outer Banks, are eroding as the sea level rises. This means some land-and homes-will be swallowed by ocean, and the people who live there must cope with the immediate impacts of climate change. Money has been spent to keep the sand in place, but Mother Nature keeps pushing back.
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Read more about the changes happening in the Outer Banks:
news.nationalgeographic.com/ne...
PRODUCERS: Sara Peach and Eileen Mignoni
VIDEOGRAPHERS: Eileen Mignoni and Sara Peach
EDITORS: Eileen Mignoni and Nacho Corbella
What If Your Home Was Slipping Into the Ocean? | National Geographic
• What If Your Home Was ...
National Geographic
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[@squid3062]

You do know that the outer banks is a moving island, right? I live in the outer banks and they have been dredging up underwater piles of sand to restore beaches. The ocean is rising yes, but the real problem is people are trying to stop nature from moving those Barrier islands.

[@ga9618]

I've lived here my whole life, and slowly seen the beach erode and move closer and closer towards the houses that are built on the Oceanside. We are nothing but a big sand bar that the ocean shapes; however, when many of these house were built, the ocean was far enough away that it didn't seem dangerous to build your house there. Within my 22 years of living in Buxton (Cape Point) I have seen the "point" change shape drastically at least 4 or 5 times. One of the realizations we face living by the ocean is that your home may not always be there, but we do what we can to prevent it, and we love where we live. No one is stupid for wanting to live out here. It is a beautiful place, with a beautiful way of life, and we hope to hold onto it for as long as we can!

[@fvtampa]

I know how you feel about the beach. However, you can still experience this from afar and visit. Tax money cannot go to preserving private property and something that will continue too wash away. It is not sustainable and not fiscally sound. This is chasing the wind and watching much needed money to other projects. We are sand as well. Dust to dust. . .

[@AbsentWithoutLeaving]

G &A - I've visited the Outer Banks, and points further south along the low country in South Carolina and Georgia, and I hear you. It is a magical place, partly because it is ephemeral - not permanently fixed in time or space. A truly liminal land. And I say to the gentleman who spoke at the end of this video, you have been blessed with your time in such a place, and I'll bet you wouldn't trade it for anything, although your life will be smaller when it comes time to leave.

[@AislingL]

When he started talking about the gravesite my heart just broke. You can just tell how much it hurt him to know his family won't be there soon.

[@GeographicScholar]

It is heartbreaking, and it shows how anything can happen. This is something that was learned when Katrina slammed into New Orleans.

[@leotills3017]

It made me tear up too. Heartbreaking, indeed.

[@leotills3017]

Very sweet of you to empathize. :)

[@ga9618]

+Aisling Lacey Thank you for understanding why we are sad.We understand the island may not be here forever, and its a tragedy.

[@AislingL]

Geanna Hardee No problem at all. I just hope and wish the best for everyone there

[@tomgrello9150]

Like most barrier Islands, they are Sand bars, that over time come and go, they erode and grow (Shelly island, The Wildwoods grow to over 500 yards wide). They have never been stable and will always come and go. People seem shocked , but we are just experiencing their waning, it was nice while it lasted.

[@fvtampa]

The gentleman's words about permanence at the end of the segment tear provoking.

[@NICKRITZER]

Shoreline erosion cannot be prevented. Nor can the sea level changes. Ask the ancient cities around the world which are now under water. You put your house on the beach. Now there's an ocean getting inevitably closer . Okay. You had your fun now you gotta move.

[@outdoorfreedom9778]

Well, it's now 5 years later, youtube never removes anything, how are things going these days on the island???

[@surfside75]

Oh but they do😐

[@Ferretts89]

We are still here... Selling more real estate than ever ironically.

[@lilFougie]

@@Ferretts89 scary

[@user-ms6rm1fc9x]

2022 houses falling into the sea.

[@frankdaywalt9281]

One of those times that "words" just wont due ! Much Love to you ALL !

[@fvtampa]

The sand is supposed to move to cleanse the beach.

[@JShepgaming]

This is sad. And an awesome place to visit.

[@khkhkhhkhkhk4238]

"i'm pretty sure I don't deserve any more permanence than the other creatures that live here". Quoted at 4:34. wow, that is SO Sad !!!

[@richards.7770]

I’ve vacationed at OBX numerous times over the years. Love it. Considering retiring there. But I would buy on raised land, on the Sound side where most full time residents smartly live. Our lives are temporary. The wood homes we build are also temporary. My inland house is made mostly of wood and most others are. Wood is in a constant state of breaking down. The houses on stilts were taking a beating the first day they were constructed,they are temporary. Owning a house near the beach , near the water is a gamble. For many years owners threw the dice every year and won. Now for some, nature says she wins...so be it. You knew the game with the laying of the fist stick of your stick house on stilts. Such is life.

[@bokeflo]

What beautiful islands and amazing beaches, I can understand them wanting to stay.

[@lenaely6146]

Byyyyeeeeee✅😇😾🗣️ weren't supposed to build there and it's nothing they can own.

[@formcheck5553]

@@lenaely6146 weirdo

[@rchuso]

Let's see.. we've (meteorologists) known this was going to happen for several decades (I recall my own calculations on sea-level rise from '84). Anyone who listened to us wouldn't have built a home there in the first place.

[@captaindave88]

and scientists have proposed solutions while oil companies propose the opposite....

[@chadmuskaa2806]

Thank you. This is a NATURAL process. The sea takes over the land. It has been happening for 10s of thousands of years. And it will continue to happen.

[@captaindave88]

Chad Muskaa its a natural process yes but the sea level rise is accelerated by human activity. that is fact...

[@chadmuskaa2806]

CaptainDave Very true.

[@paradisegunshot]

is that andres breivik in your profile pic?

[@patriciahurt990]

"the foolish man built a house upon the sand"

[@Systems1]

OBX is a SANDBAR. It always moves. Forever. Get over it already. IF you build there, expect to be wiped out. Nothing is forever there.

[@fieldaj2011]

Yup. A fool builds his house upon the shifting sand.

[@mandalorianlegion576]

Not many houses get wiped out. They are built to withstand the water with 20 foot stilts

[@abigale3629]

It won’t be in our lifetime tho so we’re good

[@WorldWidedog0]

I live in North Carolina too, so I come here every year.after the hurricanes, the erosion got worse and caused the beachfront houses to get closer to the ocean.that was the reason the cape Hatteras lighthouse was moved,because of the ocean getting closer the the original spot that it stood.hope this little bit of knowledge helped :)

[@roberthicks1612]

That's what happens when you build on sandbars. Sand shifts with storms and normal rising tides.

[@lenaely6146]

Arrogance. Unchecked ignorance wrapped in tears of victimhood

[@loveunderlaw]

I WOULDN'T HAVE BUILT THERE IN THE FIRST PLACE! IT MAKES NO SENSE, JUST LIKE THE FOOLS THAT BUILD ON RIVER FLOOD PLAINS TOO.

[@loveunderlaw]

@Bob Geatz IT’S JUST A BAD PLACE TO BUILD IMO. I WOULD NEVER BUILD THERE 👎

[@Jade-gj3uy]

...i live here. Its so amazing in my opionion. So many people working to make it a better place although where we build is quite dangerous, and this island isn't to safe, its still quite an amazing sight. And knowing we hold the last of the red wolves is great to. But, with all thus danger I feel so unsafe. Along with these school threats. I know none of this has to do with thus video, still. I love it here. But I am so sad now

[@xyzhero8480]

Yea sure build your house on a ever changing and eroding beach.

[@berylbarker2255]

When you first built, how far was the house from the water??

[@frankdaywalt9281]

1,000 ft.

[@kevindavis4709]

I remember the ocean being far away from the houses back in 1999. When I went back to outer Banks in 2009 boy the ocean was under the house I bet that house is long gone now.

[@Emmy-J]

I love this island. It will be sad to see it eventually under water. Its not a very wide island in many areas so...

[@Jay-O_Carlow]

awhhh so sad to see,hope he gets a new house soon

[@mastermouse00]

The professor sounds like Sylvester the cat from Looney toons:)

[@randomchannel-px6ho]

The outer banks have always been constantly changing, such is the nature of sandbags. But the erosion over the last 30 years is simply shocking. OBX is where sea level rise has been most obvious here in the states.

[@dianealbrecht496]

I visited there in 2013. Beautiful. They should ban all buildings. There were very few bldgs. when I visited in 1985.

[@frankdaywalt9281]

People can be so heartless and mean , is it really the times or have they always been this way.

[@allgoo1964]

Frank Daywalt says: "is it really the times or have they always been this way..." == They had time to consider. They denied it. Whose fault is that? When would be the right time to tell them that they made a wrong decision?

[@kcmurph41]

I definitely have compassion for these people, but the reality is that nature doesn’t care, it’s going to do it’s thing and it’s up to us to adapt. How can we see it any other way?

[@fullmetalp8341]

A whole populated island near Africa is slipping away to the ocean too, this is happening all around the world!

[@linbergharrington7985]

SO TRUE AND I LIVE ON THE OBX....

[@jcapps57johnson49]

What does any thinking person do when your house is going to sink? Move, of course. Duh. What a no brainier.

[@TheEmpowered787]

Sad… the Outer Banks are one of my favorite places on this Earth.

[@Cheryl_Haydon]

Ditto!

[@IceFlex92]

Love OBX

[@angrytater2456]

The developers are doing their best to destroy this beauty. It's also a very conservative area so they are being allowed to do it. I live here and see it constantly. The Outer Banks of 40 years ago is a distant memory. Even 20 years ago the difference is stark.

[@pamelahomeyer748]

No one can help you from the sea rise honey. It's going to rise a lot farther up then they are telling

[@surfside75]

No, no it's not🤦 Your not smarter then scientists😂 -🍻

[@frankdaywalt9281]

Thankyou Lord Jesus for this beautifull world that you created for US !

[@paulbroderick8438]

Some of these people think it is responsibility of everyone else to preserve 'their' patch of paradise. Shortsightedness and arrogance that 'it would never happen' caused this. Local government couldn't care less, your property tax bill is in the mail!!

[@steeldragon5867]

House is not slipping into the ocean , ocean is moving into the house

[@allgoo1964]

I live about 4 miles from the ocean and the elevation of 200 feet in California.(you can find if your property is safe or not in Google) I go to the beach on my bicycle once in a while. (4)Volleyball courts on the beach had been washed years ago(and the damage line is still rising up every year). There are so many water front properties even closer to the shoreline than the volleyball court but the owners are still hanging onto it. I don't see the trend of panic selling either. Maybe they are thinking the government will save them?

[@valjean2036]

allgoo19 maybe they just don't care

[@allgoo1964]

@@valjean2036 says: "allgoo19 maybe they just don't care" == Until the water comes up to their beds. It's not that they don't care, of course they don't want their investment disappear, they are just too stupid to realize their property no longer has any value.

[@roadracer517]

Let me get this right....The rich beautiful people didn't allow beach walkers in front of their house but now that the sea is reclaiming it they want us to pay to stop it......LOL Get Lost Pal.

[@melittapowers]

The people forget the Antarctic is melting more water in the ocean there is nothing you can do

[@desp8161]

I mean if people didn't emit so much CO2 into the atmosphere this wouldn't have happened.

[@alicesmith7020]

@@desp8161 No worries. Billy Gates has a plan for overpopulation.

[@Biobele]

Any update yet? It's been 5years since

[@pascoalnadador]

e se sua casa for escorregando para o oceano?...já esta errado o local....

[@kiddpenn]

No amount of help will stop the island from changing. Can't they just rebuild a few hundred feet more inland? I feel they could preserve their family legacy by moving to safer ground but still near the sea. Island people migrating with the island. If they get too attached to a location they'll fail to grow. That is sad about the cemetery, but like he said nothing is permenant. They could even preserve their stories digitally or in documentaries like this, so hope isn't really lost.

[@lifesuchasthis3932]

Are you still there or did you have to move Its sad if you had to leave a place you love

[@tammyatkins6101]

Allow nature to do what it will why build when you know the ocean will take it

[@twstf8905]

1:03 WHOA! WHERE exactly is this?! lol I need to get there as SOON as possible! 🤣 (3:12) I'm talking, IMMEDIATELY! 😍👍

[@Leo-hg3dl]

S.I.M.P

[@guyaneseboysaif]

they are 3 feet above sea level... where i live in Guyana we are more than 50 feet BELOW sea level....there is just a mud dam protecting us

[@reynery777]

Would you move if a group of scientist told you that there's a 90% chance that the Mud Dam will fail? I don't wish anything bad to happened to the people that live there. I'm just curious. Back home where I'm from, we live on the foot of a volcano, it erupted last years, and a lot of people ignore the warnings. Luckily nothing major bad happen. Their answer for not leaving was that it was their home. I get where they are coming from, but I would have chosen to live and rebuild again but not stayed.

[@guyaneseboysaif]

well scientist say we have another 30 years till the ocean rises over the dam. and yes we are already planing to move. but you see the majority of Guyana's population live on the Coast,, so it will be hard for everyone to move into the interlands

[@fvtampa]

Do not build your house on sand and so close to the water.

[@BreezeFN]

pain.

[@BALOYBEACHBUM]

Well I am not stupid enough to to build on a sand bar in a Hurricane zone!

[@markrichards6863]

Well, maybe building homes on shifting sand shouldn't be allowed. The coastline should be for everyone. Greedy developers should keep their hands off.

[@oldschooldiy3240]

Remember how glad you were that you managed to buy your house for $3.5 million? I'll give you $5 dollars if you leave the appliances!

[@joeyrogers8193]

That's right

[@charlesterrizzi8311]

Sea level rise? How about not building on sand to begin with? Are we complete idiots?

[@lenaely6146]

Complete and total idiots, hunny. 🍯😶😒💊✅🗣️

[@markmoody703]

Barrier Island being produced in the outer Banks it was just on national geographic and you're saying they're disappearing I don't know who to believe

[@nathelm]

Aren't the outer banks a sand bar?

[@wendellwhite5797]

You pump water out of the ground for decades and you leave a cavern in its place and the ground subsides and sinks. that is not the seas rising, it is that the land is sinking. Look at California where the almonds trees groves are and you will see this land sinking from the draining of the aquifers. In some places, the ground has sunk over 11 feet.

[@johnmiller4282]

Logic would tell you to not put down roots on this sandbar,but the heart is not logical

[@oftin_wong]

Don't build on the shifting sands

[@richardg1426]

How will this area hold up to a Cat 4 or 5 Hurricane ?

[@BG-fm5od]

Everybody should take science subjects in college. Environmental science, geology,marine science... then you will know not to build on a barrier island!

[@canyonroots]

The Cycles of the Sun drive Climate

[@jesuschild926]

Why would anyone build their houses next to water? I don't get it.

[@vootoocoo]

saad6633 To build a house NEAR water is a thing, but building literally NEXT to the water is another thing... In this case, their houses is way too close water and they should move away instead!

[@montgal53]

As I explained in an earlier comment, the reason why people build houses next to water is because "water" adds over 300 percent to the house being built (or to the home already there). For example, if you have a house, say, valued at $750,000 (and it is located inland where there is no water). And you took that same house and you simply "moved" it on the edge of the water, the value can go up as high as $1.2 million to $4 million (depending on number of rooms, size of rooms, whether it has decks or not, etc.) This is why people in California who lose their homes to brush fire and mudslides, refuse to move. They will re-build, re-build, and re-build. According to one homeowner in California who lost her home to a mudslide, she said,'...I have to stay. I need to have those ocean views..."

[@montgal53]

@M Bailey The ocean will, indeed, change course. All of the coastal line of Florida, and elsewhere, will change the landscape of the entire planet.

[@chucklogan7296]

No life jackets on?

[@keithmckinnon7047]

The real problem is orbital loss. Everything in orbit including Earth slowly loses it's orbit thus gets a little closer to the sun each year making it warmer and melting ice at the poles.

[@randomchannel-px6ho]

Yeah no. Milankovitch cycles are fascinating and exampls past changes in climate like ice ages, but the rapid climate shift over the last 100 years cannot be explained by them. Indeed we know what the cause is. The amount of greenhouse gasses in the earth's atmosphere right now is far greater than at any other point in history. Our modern world is currently completely unsustainable. I pray that humanity will adapt and overcome this crisis but I fear a tradegy of the commons.

[@joeyrogers8193]

Development and $ ruining FLA

[@crazykrizz509]

Stubborn people suffer by choice. no helping them if they can't figure out life is about temporary !& adjust according.✌

[@teuruti55]

The water will win it always wins slowly grain by grain you will lose your land beach and house move inland.

[@fvtampa]

For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son. Whosoever believes on him shall not Parrish, but have eternal life. Whosoever believes and is baptized shall have eternal life. This is our permanence. Love and peace to us all.

[@MrJonsound]

build on a beach be prepared to see it all go, stop asking for tax paper funds to cover your bad choices

[@stevenlonien7857]

Yes New York needs 450 billion min seawalls instead of quiting oil gas nuclear consumptions to help minimize rising oceans and New Orleans another 450 billion.

[@jagetsantos7046]

Well if it was a denier he would deny it of course.

[@dannzenmon13]

People complaining uh just move. You obviously can't prevent it from happening.

[@morrisseyowesmemoney]

I can't really feel sorry for these people.

[@markmoody703]

Come on this is such bull larky

[@andrewvillanueva4222]

With the raising seawater the east coast and west coast are both experiencing beach erosion. This is not going to stop, beach erosion will continue until green house gases lessen. China and out countries must stop coal burning. Invest in solar and wind energy. Greenland and Iceland are both melting at incredible rates. Glaciers are all retreating melting at incredible speeds.

[@jeffreyscottharris]

The guy at 3:10 -- check it out the dirty shirt. The guy was being interviewed and he couldn't even put on a clean shirt? Seriously? And we're supposed to listen to this guy?

[@AbsentWithoutLeaving]

And so begin the great climate migrations across the planet.

[@andrewvillanueva3722]

Raising sea levels will continue to take the sand away and homes will be at risk. Sea levels will continue to raise because all the glaciers are melting.

[@paulonorato7501]

Bad investment.

[@StormsandSaugeye]

Good thing they didn't talk to the guy at the gas station just by the hatteras park entrance. I dislike that Gas Station owner because all he does is blame Obama and really put a bad taste in my mouth last time I visited.

[@alicesmith7020]

Looking back now, you may agree with him.

[@will7its]

Thank god Youtub puts that global warming banner oops I mean climate change banner up there for all us dummies that just dont know what the computers are predicting for us dummies. Is it still climate change??? because that seems like a safe thing to call it for a while....wheeew. I cant keep up. Maybe thats the point....lol

[@sodthong]

Some humans are just so so stupid...

[@brucenassar9077]

live on the water stop crying waa

[@Naz1204G]

Global warming at its finest!!! Go Trump🤣🤣🤣

[@jcapps57johnson49]

You're an idiot.

[@alicesmith7020]

You ain't seen nothing yet. It's almost 2023 and the current administration has torn this country apart. But if you're still alive, I'm sure you're well aware of it.