NPR
You'd expect homeowners to save their stuff. Federal policy pays them to leave it
+44 words added -41 words removed
Accessibility links Skip to main content Keyboard shortcuts for audio player Open Navigation Menu Newsletters NPR Shop Get NPR+ Close Navigation Menu Home News Expand/collapse submenu for News National World Politics Business Health Science Climate Race Culture Expand/collapse submenu for Culture Books Movies Television Pop Culture Food Art & Design Performing Arts Life Kit Gaming Music Expand/collapse submenu for Music Tiny Desk New Music Friday All Songs Considered Music Features Podcasts & Shows Expand/collapse submenu for Podcasts & Shows Daily Morning Edition Weekend Edition Saturday Weekend Edition Sunday All Things Considered Up First Here & Now NPR Politics Podcast Featured Wait Wait...Don't Tell Me! Fresh Air Wild Card with Rachel Martin It's Been a Minute Embedded Get NPR+ More Podcasts & Shows Search Newsletters NPR Shop Get NPR+ Tiny Desk New Music Friday All Songs Considered Music Features About NPR Diversity Support Careers Press Ethics Why won't FEMA save these collapsing beach homes? NPR dug into the upside-down world of FEMA flood insurance in coastal areas, and found many homeowners have no financial choice but to let their homes collapse. It's happening across the United States, from California to Michigan to Maine.
One hotspot is Dare County, N.C., where more than 30 homes have collapsed since 2020, including one as recently as this summer. About 100 additional houses there are threatened by erosion exacerbated by sea level rise.
Only on NPR People's houses are collapsing into the ocean. FEMA gives them no other option Yet there is no plan to remove most of the threatened houses — or to empty them of personal belongings before they fall — because of perverse incentives created by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
NPR dug into the upside-down world of FEMA flood insurance in coastal areas, and found many homeowners have no financial choice but to let their homes collapse. That's leading to massive amounts of debris and pollution, which closes beaches, threatens wildlife and necessitates costly taxpayer-funded cleanup efforts.
And the problem is only getting worse. As climate-driven sea level rise accelerates erosion around the country, there is growing alarm among waterfront homeowners, local officials and even members of Congress. Everyone agrees the status quo is unsustainable. But can they agree on a long-term solution?
NPR does not offer or accept money for coverage or interviews. Anyone who makes such an offer or request is not an NPR employee and does not represent NPR.
Sponsor Message
Become an NPR sponsor
− Special Series Only on NPR Why people are leaving entire houses to fall into the ocean September 16, 20265:20 PM ET By
Rebecca Hersher
,
Ryan Kellman
,
Bronson Arcuri
Credit: NPR
Dramatic videos show waterfront houses collapsing into the water.
+ Special Series Only on NPR Why people are leaving entire houses to fall into the ocean September 16, 20265:20 PM ET By
Rebecca Hersher
,
Ryan Kellman
,
Bronson Arcuri
,
Pablo Valdivia
Credit: NPR
Dramatic videos show waterfront houses collapsing into the water.